I’m chuckling watching the tall, elder man in my Zumba class, who looks a bit like Frankenstein with his broad, square shoulders and large clunky feet, probably a size 14, intent on following the super-charged dance moves of our tiny, sprite, millennial teacher shakin’ her fit and firm booty, jazzing to the hip-hop beat.
I just think he’s fantastic, the towering, clunky man with large sneakers and a pot belly popping from his baggy powder blue tee-shirt, showing up each week in the jammed packed class of women of all shapes, ages and sizes in neon colored dance outfits. I love Zumba for it’s inclusivity, freedom from sexism and ageism, it’s international blend of music, and don’t worry if you can’t dance philosophy. Here, with a few simple dance moves and some pumped up music, we leave the world behind, out-of-step, in-step, it doesn’t matter. Some, like me, love Zumba because we love to dance. It’s a way we live out our childhood fantasy of being a professional dancer, pretending we’re Jay Lo’s back up dancers, the new Brittney Spears, or on Dancing with the Stars. For 2-3 hours a week we feel young and sexy, twirling our worries away. For those who hate to exercise, Zumba offers fun while losing weight.
I pray while I dance. In my prayer in motion, prancing, two-stepping, and hip-shaking, I think of Jesus telling us those bold and matter-of-fact things he was so good at teaching with metaphors — those age-old scriptures we still can’t quite grasp so well, even when they offer the best medicine around. Those sacred morsels he gave so freely, like these words of wisdom about worrying and fretting: Don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
When I imagine Jesus saying these fine words, I suddenly feel like a bird soaring high above the earth, refreshing breezes blowing gentle winds through my soft fluffy feathers, my worries tossed to the Zumba class wind.
I think more about Jesus’ words, how he tells us the birds, they neither reap nor sow, and how our heavenly God feeds them, and how we’re worth so much more than birds anyway.
Finally, I get it, deep in the cells of my pirouetting body, I get the essence of what Jesus is saying — don’t worry, be happy!
I think about the obscure book of Ecclesiastes, where the author, some think is the wise King Solomon, cries out, “meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless!” I think of all the worries we carry like bags of dirty laundry through our years, the toil, financial angst, all the lonely days, and oppression, and even the dream-making, the book publishing, the riches and pleasures and wisdom — all the author says are meaningless.
The what’s the purpose of life Ecclesiastes author then tells us, when times are good, be happy. Go feast your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart. It really comes down to one thing, he says, to love God and keep the commandments.
So here it is again, a dancing lesson on the real purpose of life. Why worry? Be happy. All we need to remember is to seek God with all our hearts, and to dance. Dance like the man who shows up at Zumba class each week enjoying your days under the sun.
After all, Jesus, tells us, the rest is handled.
Will you join me in a worry free week, and enjoying some fun?
Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his span of life? – Jesus
We love your comments!
Great word! I forget that God wants us to have fun!
Yes! It is so easy to forget this beautiful gift of life! Joy in the spirit!
I love this so much, It made me cry tears of relief. This week has been really tough for us. The toughest we have had for a while and yet when I look at our two year old she just knows how to be joyful whatever the circumstances – sometimes just starts to dance on the spot, no music, just because it’s in her soul to dance, to be happy and joyful. This reminded me so thank you. I needed this today. I love what you have written and the beauty that is present in your words…
‘Finally, I get it, deep in the cells of my pirouetting body, I get what Jesus is saying — why worry, be happy!’
lots of blessings x
What a beautiful gift your little one is to remind you of the God given gift of joy and light heartedness — how we need to be like little children! I’m so glad this spoke to you today, and pray that you will release all your concerns into the yoke of Christ’s love and enjoy your beautiful family and self!
I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER after reading this, Kathy! Seriously!! I am smiling and nodding and thinking “Oh yes! Meaningless!!”
Why oh why do we worry so? These days the air is stifled and the tension high…
Reading your message allowed me to cling once again to the Truth.
Thank you, friend. You words and messages always move me…
So happy Christine it brought you clinging to the truth! so true how these days the air “is stifiled and tension high”. When we
walk and dance the narrow path, joy returns no matter what is going on. It’s a lesson we need to be reminded of everyday!
You write so beautifully. I found myself immersed in your writing. I could relate to everything you said. Inspiring. Thank you for an incredible post.
I tried zumba at home. lol. I can’t get exercise consistent though. Love that we share a love for dancing and pretending to be superstars. 🙂
Thank you so much for your encouraging words Ailie! Love a like-minded pretend dancing superstar!
Such a great reminder. No matter our circumstances, we can be joyful! Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
I know I often forget the lessons Jesus taught about not worrying..joy always returns when I pay attention to those teachings.. joy is surely a fruit of the spirit!
Love your encouragement to remember that it boils down to loving God and keeping our heart and life fixed on obeying Him – which also means to stop worrying about every single thing. He is in control. I know I sometimes think I am, but yes – that doesn’t at all add freedom or fun to our lives. Great encouragement here today! So glad to be your neighbor at #testimonytuesday.
So happy this offered some encouragement today!
What a great reminder to dance our worries away. Though you get to do so literally, the rest of us can learn the spiritual lesson here and let go of the things that weigh us down.
Thanks for sharing this — I truly enjoyed it along with the imagery of your dancing friend. 🙂
thanks so much Marva, glad it offered some spiritual lessons as well as enjoyment!
I love to dance but couldn’t keep up with Zumba! Being present and believing we already have all we need is something repeated many, many times in scripture yet I fall into worry a lot! Thanks for your words today to realign to His ways!
You will have to point him out to me next time we’re there. I’d love to see if he looks like I imagined. I saw you in Zumba my friend…..carefree and joyful….yup….it was on your face. I love you!
oh I will! And I will pull you in to dance!! If I looked joyful you must have seen me after Zumba, NOT after doing weights!!
I delight in the image of you and the brave solo man dancing with joy in zumba class. In my current post surgery convalescence, I am missing the “in the moment joy” that the African drums and dance always bring to me. I believe dance is one of our most ancient expressions of play. The older I get, the more I see that one of our greatest responsibilities is to play regularly. Play reminds us of the beauty, sacredness and honor of being given a shot at human life. Continue dancing with joy Katerina….you make God smile.
I will look forward to know when you are dancing again! Love your words: “Play reminds us of the beauty, sacredness and honor of being given a shot at human life.” Beautiful! and I do sense God’s smile when we enjoy this precious life we’ve been given!