Restful Dancing

If we open ourselves to having teachable hearts, we can often learn much from watching children. When they have been loved on and care for well, they have such trusting hearts and they are full of joy.

As I began digging into the first half of Psalm 37:7 this week, I was taken back to my own childhood as I pondered the Hebrew meaning of this verse. The verse is translated, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him." The original word for 'rest' is damam which means to be silent, still motionless, it is the absence of emotional distress and churning and the ability to be quiet and relax. What a peaceful thought! Just be quiet and relax before Jesus...

Now, the next phrase carries quite a different meaning. It is translated 'wait patiently', which seems similar in the English, but the original word hiyl means to whirl, shake, dance, to wait anxiously and tremble in worship. Intersting, huh? It is nearly a polar opposite, until you look to the little girl in her new 'twirly' skirt...

She floats around the room to the sound of the music in her own head. She twirls and spins with joy as she has not a care in the world. Her Father loves her and delights in her. He carries all her concerns for her; therefore she is free to dance.

Your Heavenly Father loves you. He delights in you and carries all your burdens. (1 Peter 5:7)...you and I are free to dance in worship before the One who watches over us with joy today!