Tuesday, October 16, 2012

BALANCE


As dancers, one of the first elements we learn is how to balance. As a young student, it begins with a game - balancing on one leg. In elementary ballet, we learn to balance on our tip-toes in releve while our arms are in first or second position. Learning to balance in dance has similarities with being spiritually balanced as well. In order to balance for any length of time, one must be focused on a specific direction - and most usually straight ahead or where you want to end up. Even moving one's focus another direction for a moment and losing alignment can cause an imbalance. The scriptures tell us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ and His plans for us. We fix our eyes on what lies ahead, in front of us - not behind or around us. “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

Another quality in balance is finding your "center" and having the strength in the surrounding muscles to dance from your "core". Although audiences enjoy the movements of the arms and legs of a dancer, students learn quickly that it is the core of dancer that makes all other movements a possibility. The "core" muscles not only give strength to hold on to center, but balance and stay there. Scriptures encourage us to find strength is God's Word (Psalm 119:68), His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) , His love (Psalm 32:10), and His joy (Nehemiah 8:10).

My final thought on balance is a picture of a pas de duex - a duet. When one desires to go further than where his/her body can take them - to balance longer for a specific movement of task – a partner is needed. Having a partner gives a ballerina the ability to turn multiple times, extend the leg, or sustain a leap in the air and defy gravity. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 The scriptures tell us that Jesus is with us as well as His Spirit. We are never alone on the stage of life. God is always with us, giving us the ability to do far more than we can ever do on our own. Many times movements in contemporary dance involving two dancers is referred to as "weight sharing". Likewise, He gives us relationships that bring us "weight sharing" capabilities when needed. As we join the dance of life with other believers, we can move and travel on life's stage in ways we never could alone. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10