Psalm 30:11 (TPT), “Then he broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise! He has torn the veil and lifted from me the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glory garments of gladness.”

Psalm 63:11 (TPT), “These liars will be silenced forever! But with the anointing of a king I will dance and rejoice along with all his lovers who trust in him.”

Psalm 87:7 (TPT), “And the princes of God’s feasts will sing and dance,  singing, “Every fountain of delight springs up from your life within me!”

When I was growing up decades ago and watching television at home, I wanted to be a dancer like those on “Solid Gold.” Or so I thought. To me, they were lovely and graceful. That seemed like power–especially to a skinny shy girl who too often felt afraid.

Now I know, of course, that those dancers were doing sensuous moves to worldly, soul-disturbing sounds.

But the LORD is faithful–the more I came to know His Word and love Him, the more I could not help but just get up and rejoice–and dance! And it grew from there. I started exploring praise and worship dance, and made some flags and would practice in the living room. But I wanted more.

I wanted to touch His heart. I wanted to make my moves a prayer.

One day I was literally doing praise and worship to the LORD, and the thought to look up “prophetic dance” came into my mind. I discovered a praise and worship dance school directed by a pastor with over 50 years of dance experience! I was privileged to be taught by her for the first year, and she helped me go much deeper in my understanding and appreciation of the power of movement to the glory of God.

When at the conference, I was required to dance, and I wasn’t sure what I would do. I couldn’t seem to choreograph anything, so i just prayed and trusted the LORD to literally move me. He did! (But of course!) I was the last one to dance, and I had chosen a fast song called, “The LORD Reigns.” It seemed like all I did was whirl–dance in circles–and I started clapping, and the crowd quickly joined in. I grabbed my Bible and held it up, and it was powerful. Glory to God!

Although I didn’t understand it fully then, this verse is what He did for me (among other things!): Psalm 30:11 (TPT), “Then he broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise! He has torn the veil and lifted from me the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glory garments of gladness.”

The LORD is the One Who invented dancing. In fact, certain authorities on the Bible say He loved to go to feasts and parties where there was dancing. If you haven’t danced, or even if you have, ask Him to make you freer. Throw off others’ opinions and dance to the LORD. It will please Him and He will work on your behalf in ways that may surprise you!

This night, after I danced to my LORD, He whispered, “You are, after all, a dancer after My own heart.” And that, my friend, is everything!

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.