Grace Filled Dance, a Journey of Faith
/The theme for the upcoming Women’s Journey of Faith is “Grace Filled Dance”. A curious theme. Bold. Creative. Celebratory. I was asked to share a short video to share with the WJOF audience on facebook in preparation for the event hosted at Circle Drive Alliance Church in Saskatoon on April 28th-29th, 2023.
It’s been 8 years since I resigned from WJOF and wearing all my hats there as the ministries founder. I have a plethora of emotions given the memories held there from 1999-2015. The numerous themes, partnerships, collaborations, and the thousands of women I’ve brushed shoulders with, worshipped with or served with is overwhelming actually. The Lord has focused my attention elsewhere for a season as life has presented new faith adventures, convictions, and deepening relationships. Through this major transition in my life, I have been enjoying the grace filled dance in my soul. It’s hard to describe this theme because its impact is so vast. At the same time, I can do my part to help describe it. Here are a few verses that speak to me:
Grace
Grace and Truth are embodied in Jesus Christ:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” ”
Grace is a gift from God, often referred to as undeserved favour:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Jesus calls us to live in our new identity in Him:
As we are authentic, humble and honest about our shortcomings, weaknesses or failures, we allow His grace to lead us, empower us and guide us throughout our journey of faith. This supernatural posture enables us to extend grace to others.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Filled
All believers have access to God’s Holy Spirit:
As the first disciples waiting in the upper room as we reference on the day of Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. As noted throughout the scriptures, believers were indwelled with God’s Spirit, but there is a call to be filled in order to fulfill their destiny:
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
It’s important to reflect on the balance of the “Fruits” of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Self Control), and the many gifts of God’s Spirit. I taught a class on Spiritual Gifts at my home church this past year. I see a clear distinction of motivational gifts (How God has naturally wired us to love and serve others), manifestation gifts (supernatural gifts often referred to as signs and wonders) and ministry gifts (these gifts are most specific as to your mode of ministry:( prophetic, teaching, pastoral, evangelist, apostolic/ leadership etc) . As we live in this world in dire need of grace and truth, we need to be led and filled with God’s Spirit and being open to the presence of God’s Spirit, the filling and how the Spirit moves in and through His people. as some will receive God’s message of grace and truth and many will not. People pleasing is not our call, but it is to honour and please God. Love must be our motivation as we serve God and people. Without it, we are simply a ‘clanging cymbal’ as noted in 1 Corinthians 13:1
“So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.””
Dance
I reflected on my own experience with dance in the literal sense as well as the metaphorical perspectives of the Grace Filled Dance with God. I love how my daughter Jaclyn thought to buy me a kit to make my own wooden tambourine for Christmas last year and finally put it together recently. The Lord led me to the story of Miriam in Exodus 20 and how she led out in song and dance with her tambourine after Moses sang his song of praise and deliverance. We too will go through our own tests, trials and dark night of the soul where God calls us out from out of it. There is a choice to praise His name, choosing life in the Spirit, living by faith, walking in love and inspiring destiny. When we do, there is a dance in our soul that cannot be held back:
“...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, ”
“Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”
“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.””
If you are in the Saskatoon area, I invite you to join me at the “Grace Filled Dance” conference on April 28th-29th 2023 held this year at Circle Drive Alliance Church. I look forward to seeing Lori Hartshorn again as our emcee and hear from Karen Abercrombie once again as keynote and others who are gracing the WJOF stage this year. Tickets are available at Kennedy’s Parable or through WJOF (click the link below) Hope to see many of you there!
