dancing like david // a dance ministry testimony

There’s a really cool story in 2 Samuel about David dancing before the Lord. 

No shame. Full surrender. 

In this story, my squad has been learning what it looks like to rebuke and dismiss fear of man. Lay down the fear of judgement, failure, and rejection. Allowing the Lord to bring in authority and confidence. 

I got a real taste of what this whole ‘dancing before the Lord’ thing looks like the other day. 

Every week my squad switches rotation so different teams work in the mornings or afternoons. This particular week my team was in evening ministry – which meant a lot of dance classes. 

During the second class we learned all about the basics of Krump Dancing. Based out of Ballet, Football, and several other sports, it looks and IS extremely difficult. A series of stomps, bounces, and movements to tell a detailed story. 

KRUMP

// verb //  

A style of dancing to popular music, especially hip-hop, characterized by rapid, exaggerated movements of the arms and legs.

Long story short, I wasn’t very good. I felt SO awkward and out of place. My whole life I’ve danced classical ballet. But even so, I tried to find the fun in it. 

Alongside us racers were some extremely talented Krump Dancers. 

The main purpose of this class was to review, at least for the more experienced dancers. The basics are fundamental to anything else you do. It’s the foundation that everything stems from. It makes me think a lot about the Lord and how our walk with Him often looks. He has to be the center and most of the time He is rebuilding our foundation, teaching us the basics over and over again. And every time, you learn something new. 

By the end of the class Jose wanted to give a space to tell personal stories, through dance. I was so moved by the stories. I could feel the passion and heart behind each person. And in the midst of it I watched people walk into LITERAL freedom. All it took was a leap of faith and a random song. 

And then came the moment I wasn’t expecting. 

I felt this tug to dance. And the people around me knew it was there too. SO before you know it I’m in this circle of PROFESSIONAL dancers and about half of my squad. Jose turned the music on and the Spirit took over. 

The funny thing is that I have never danced Krump before! I didn’t even know it existed until I moved to Costa Rica and showed up at Hope Project. And yet here I was, dancing my own little dance in front of all these people. 

I felt this fire burning deep in my stomach – a mix of nerves and passion. 

I. FELT. FREEDOM. 

The world around me didn’t matter anymore and I went to war with the enemy. I watched the fear of man melt away and all of heaven rejoicing with me. This is spiritual warfare. I found my weapon. 

When I signed up for the race I never saw myself living in Costa Rica working with a dance ministry. I never thought the Lord would be highlighting these people and these experiences. But what an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to be here, doing the thing He has set out for me. 

I feel like there is someone reading this that needs to experience that freedom for the first time. Maybe you need to get up and dance. You need to say yes to something. Start something. 

I have faith in you! And so does He.