Robert Jordan, an American author once remarked: “One more dance along the razor's edge finished. Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
Dancing is defined as the activity of moving one's body rhythmically, usually to music. It is a fundamental form of human expression, often beginning with the feet, that can convey emotion, tell a story, or be performed for social interaction, ceremony, or exercise. Dancing is often viewed as a metaphor for life because it represents the rhythms, flow, and unpredictable nature of existence. It can be a way to express personal feelings, connect with others, and live fully in the present moment, much like life itself is a continuous process of becoming and experience.
"One more dance" suggests longing for another, intimate moment with someone, whether it's romantic, due to the fear of losing them forever, or a spiritual yearning for a future reunion. The phrase can evoke both beautiful sadness and hopeful anticipation, depending on the context. "One more dance" can relate to God through themes of worship, a desire for continued spiritual connection, and as a symbol of hope for redemption. For example, it can represent a yearning to continue a dance that was interrupted by hardship, a desire for perpetual worship, or the ultimate goal of a spiritual "great dance" of life and salvation.
A dance of life may relate to a spiritual and philosophical concept representing the dynamic and cyclical nature of life's stages and experiences. Philosophically, it symbolizes accepting life's changes, finding rhythm and balance, and allowing for both connection and detachment. A "dance of life" story in the Bible focuses on King David's ecstatic dance before the Ark of the Covenant in 2 Samuel 6:14-16. He danced with all his might, wearing a simple linen garment, to show his overwhelming joy at God's presence in Jerusalem, a celebration that was met with contempt by his wife Michal but was an expression of pure worship for David.
This story is sometimes interpreted as a metaphor for the spontaneous and uninhibited worship that honors God, the ups and downs of life, and finding balance with God as a partner. The passage reminds us: “And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn. As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.”
While it is a nuanced topic in religious texts, in Christianity, hatred toward other people is considered a grave sin and is despised by God. The New Testament teaches that God is love and that loving one another is a primary commandment. Hatred of people is fundamentally opposed to this core tenet. The Bible does, however, distinguish between hating a person and hating evil. God hates sin and wickedness because they are against his nature of perfect righteousness. While "A dance of life" isn't a standard term for hatred, it can metaphorically refer to it as an intense, often obsessive, and consuming emotional interaction. Some perspectives describe hatred as a dynamic process where one "dances" with a powerful emotion, driven by a desire for engagement, even though it can lead to destructive cycles.
It can represent the back-and-forth struggle between an individual and their own negative emotions or the external targets of that hatred. Luke 6:27-36 teaches the radical command to love our enemies by doing good, blessing, praying for, and forgiving those who hate, curse, or mistreat us, as exemplified by the principle of doing to others what you would have them do to you. The passage is a core part of Jesus' teaching on how his followers should behave, contrasting this selfless, "amazing love" with the worldly principle of "if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". The passage reminds us: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Becoming a Christian may experience a price. While there is no stipulated monetary levy to enter the forum, the cost may be of a personal nature. These charges are described as a form of self-denial or sacrifice, such as giving up sin, worldliness, and personal ease, and can include financial contributions to a church for its upkeep and mission. Some beliefs also emphasize that following Christ can come with significant non-monetary costs, such as potentially facing persecution or having to prioritize one's faith over worldly desires. The personal cost of becoming a Christian centers on the concept of "costly grace" - the commitment of one's entire life to follow Jesus, in contrast to a more superficial faith. This involves spiritual, social, and personal sacrifices, though the nature and intensity of these costs can vary significantly depending on an individual's context and location. It can sometimes resort to the necessity of a rebirth. "Rebirth" can refer to a religious concept, a psychological experience, or a revival in a cultural or secular sense.
The birth of each new day may inspire new beginnings. J. C. Ryle, an English Anglican bishop, preacher, and writer once remarked: “To be born again is, as it were, to enter upon a new existence, to have a new mind, a new heart, new views, new principles, new tastes, new affections, new likings, new dislikings, new fears, new joys, new sorrows, new love to things once hated, new hatred to things once loved, new thoughts of God, and ourselves, and the world, and the life to come, and salvation.”
One more dance can relate to being "born again" as a powerful metaphor for a spiritual rebirth, transformation, or a new beginning, especially in the context of faith. It can symbolize letting go of a past life, embracing a new purpose, or experiencing a profound sense of joy and spiritual renewal. John 3:1-5 reminds us: “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Amen.
