As I write my heart is full. I feel as though I received one of the best Christmas gifts of my life--and it wasn't wrapped or in a box! Let me explain what I mean. In the growth of this ministry I have encountered many wonderful people, some of whom also have a ministry and a calling of their own. One of the most beautiful (in every way) people I have met on my journey is Sheba Phillips, founder of a ministry known as "The Carpenter's Daughter." She is the daughter of a carpenter, both in the physical world and in the spiritual realm. Most importantly, of course, she is the daughter of THE carpenter, Jesus Christ. As His daughter, she has been called to worship through her very special talent of dance. She ministers to people through dance and also teaches others how to worship and minister through dance.
I saw her perform for the first time this past March and was moved to tears. I felt the presence of God through her expressive movement and I knew that she was no ordinary dancer. Now, Sheba will tell you that none of this is by her doing--but only by the power and grace of God. I invited her to dance at our Easter Celebration in April and we were blessed once again by her gifts. I sat in the audience watching the faces of those around me, and watched tears stream down the face of the person next to me. When God moves, the experience is powerful!
Last week Sheba offered to hold a "mini-workshop" in worship dance for the girls I work with. I can't tell you how excited I was!! I was anxious to see if God would work out the details to allow this to take place. It was God-ordained, because HE DID! New Covenant was very gracious in allowing us to use their facilities and van today--otherwise we would not have been able to do this at all. (Thank you, New Covenant, for the blessing you are to us!!). It all came together and I was able to escort 7 girls to Sheba's workshop.
As soon as we arrived, I switched gears from being the "teacher" and became the "student." I participated with the girls and was more blessed by my experience than I could have ever anticipated. I learned practical things, such as the six types of worship dance, common signs used in worship dance, and the steps to choreographing a song. I learned a dance choreographed by Sheba to the song, "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful," which was a lot of fun for me to do with the girls. They laughed at me a few times when I was going in the wrong direction, but I laughed along with them and then turned the right way! Above that, I learned something very moving about myself and the girls participating in this workshop today: I learned that the desire, the ability, and the passion to worship our Creator is something innate in all of us. It was there all along, it just had to be tapped and allowed to surface.
I saw "my girls," as I call them, transform beyond their shyness and their insecurities and give their all to Him. I saw unconditional acceptance blossum among girls who are still getting to know each other. I even felt that happen within myself. There was something happening in that workshop today that was above the technicalities of dance, the choreographed movements, and the individuals who were there. God's Spirit was moving among us! Sheba was faithful in her call to minister to us, I was faithful in my call to be there, and He was faithful to His word, "Draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you," (James 4:8). Today was a priceless gift, for me.
Thank you, Sheba, for your faithfulness in allowing Him to move in and through you! Your gift to us today was better than any gift we will open come Christmas day!
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