I Hope You Dance by Nancy Ellis
Did you know your body is a temple? Sometimes I forget that when I go for a 2nd helping or skip the gym.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
As young as two years old I felt this to be true. I entered my first ballet class at a local Christian studio and I was transcended to a different place. A place of movement, worship, and connection with Jesus. I remember my mom and other dance moms saying, “you are such a passionate dancer”!
I took this passion for granted as my body grew and dance skills grew. All the while always hearing the comments about my “passion”. In high school and college, I moved away from dance as a form of worship and more as a vehicle for my career and income, teaching and studying all forms of modern dance and dance history. Even still, the minute I heard worship music, I was moved to tears and I transcended once again. It was as if something/ someone gave me the steps, cadence, and passion to articulate each word through movement. That, someone, was Jesus, pursuing me and blessing me with the gift of dance. His goal was to have others see Him through my movement. Yet, I never shared this gift with anyone. I just locked away the choreography in my mind and in my own mirror.
A short time after college I was in a bad car accident and injured both of my knees. As the years passed my knees grew weaker but my passion for movement grew stronger. Although “I didn’t do anything with my dance career”, I still have this burning desire to worship through movement but I find myself in a season of Will vs Skill. The Will; that choreography that has been collecting in my head, song after song, year after year is now ready to break free and be shared as it was intended. The Skill, on the other hand, faded with time and gets harder with age. Next Thursday, I will prepare to have my 2nd ACL replaced, marry that with the fact that I still have not lost the “baby weight” from my 4 and 5 year old and the realization has hit me that NOW THAT I WANT TO DANCE, I CANT!
What would it look like for you if a God-given gift was taken away?
What “passion” has laid dormant in you for quite some time now?
All I know is that it’s never too late! With God’s grace, I am given yet another chance to use my body like the temple it was created to be. This is such good news because what he has done for me, he will do for you too!
After my surgery, I will take physical therapy seriously. I will lose the baby weight. I will take those spin classes. I will work on my skill and form. I will share the movement of this precious body as worship with others. I will honor God with my body and the gifts he gave me. (Stay tuned for some not so technically accurate but very passionate Vlogg.)
Now, when I read 1 Corinthians 6:19 it reminds me of the Country song by Lee Ann Womack “I hope you dance”. Lee Ann encourages her fans to always take advantage of the blessings and gifts the good Lord gives us! And “may you never take one single breath for granted. When you get the choice to sit it out or dance- I hope you dance”.
By Nancy Ellis
Nancy Ellis is a wife, mom of two little ones, a successful businesswoman and leads a Small Group for Moms here at Cape Christian. Her passion to lead in love in every area of life is contagious as she helps women of all ages embrace God’s love for them. She is transparent, real and one of the most encouraging women I know. You will be encouraged by her words today!
– Cindy Grasso