I had mentioned in my early post last 2013 that we always have a National Youth Camp in Davao City during summer. This is one of the biggest activities that the ECOFI holds every month of April.
One of the contests during this camp is theTambourine Dancing. I was one of the participants on this contest since this had begun... but i stopped joining this when i was already working because i helped the office of the NYO. We have this rule that if you will be one of the officers, you wont be allowed to join any contests. So, i have no choice than to stop my eagerness in dancing during competitions. :D well, that is also to give chance to the others...:))
Even before, a lot of intrigues came in. Just like, why do we make the tambourine dancing a competion? As they said, this is for worship. Why do we have this very expensive contest without any big amount as cash prize for the winners after the camp? (Expensive in the sense that we really spend a lot in the costumes and other props.)
Before, i kept ignoring these questions. But there really came a point that i asked myself and tried scavenging some answers within me. Without hypocrisy, I had this in mind. I did join because
-i want to develop my skills in dancing,
-i want to win,
-i want to challenge myself that if they can do it so i can do it too
-i want to be acknowledged that I am a good dancer.
Whoooppp!!!! whatttta answer... "I" ... "I"... i.... :( ..... (I..yah!)
For sure other dancers would agree with me on this list. But a big part of me seemed to be frustrated to these very shallow answers i had. Are these really the reasons why i joined in? how was the feeling when people said, i wasn't a good dancer coz i did mistakes ....how was the feeling when we didn't win and realized that "i cannot do what they can do" because they are really better???? the answer was FRUSTRATION!
No wonder when we didnt win, we murmored!.. "the judges weren't good..the judges were unfair! we won't join in next time!;( " these scenario really happened... very SAD! :(
The bible says in Matthew 22:37
"And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
Until, we understand that we do things because we Love HIM, frustrations will always be on our way. I am thankful that i was led to make this realization before i fall fully to this dread of frustrations.
I will dance because I LOVE HIM! So, why worry of the expectations from other people and even from myself? why worry if i won't really the best in the eyes of these people? God always LOVES me regardless of what other people would think or even on what I think? Dance without comparing yourself to others.. Dance because you LOVE Him.
When we love Him, we do our best for Him.
When we love Him, we focus our mind on Him.
When we love Him, we accept with all our hearts what He has given to us and what is meant for us.
We should understand that we have this "competion" not to win the eyes of the people but to win the Heart of God. I should not even say that to win the heart of God cause there is nothing that we can do to make Him love us because He is simply the author of love. He loves us unconditionally.
Having this kind of activity in the camp, develops our attitude of humbleness when we are at the top and develops our sportsmanship when we are at the bottom....how gracious we are in accepting defeats? It is more than what we could see in our eyes outwardly. we have this as a competion to be the spring board in learning lessons in life. If we put this in mind, we would be thinking and doing things for His glory alone and not for ourselves.
One more thing ....Before i end......for me this is very important!
Yes, we should not focus on what the people would think but focus on what God
would feel when He is watching while we are dancing. i wanna emphasize this ones and for all, because i am sickened and saddend on watching dances that portrays lustful actions specially in Tambourine Dancing. I wonder God would be really happy on watching our dances if people won't be blessed on the moves we made as they have portrayed lustful actions???? with costumes that show-off more of the flesh???? What are lustful actions??? well, something is wrong with you when you don't know what i mean! "costumes" that ignites the lustful thoughts of a person???? i dont know if my term is correct, but i have seen a lot. I am not pointing only to some of the dances in our camp but in general. (My apology of mentioning this) But it is true... :( i don't know how do this kind or ways in tambourine dancing seemed to be going on the other side of its real track.
The actions we make would show that we LOVE Him! These movements should be worshipping the
sovereign God, the Holy One, -the Great King and not a show for those who are in the rated bars! My heart bleeds as i am watching some dances that convey the people to think badly.
I am addressing this specially to the choreographers or trainors. When we make dances, let us not forget to pray and ask the HOly Spirit to guide us in making actions. I don't consider myself as a perfect dancer or the best choreographer...not even a tip of it..neither a professional one but this is what God has empressed to me. And even I, God has continually checking my heart as i dance or as i make dances. I am in awe of Him!
If you are convicted on this post, i pray that God would help you in accepting these truths. If you think I am wrong, my respect to your point and i hope you would respect mine too.
This post is done not to look down others but to help. If this isn't helping any, just let go of these mumblings of mine.
Oh yah, i almost forget, this is the video of our district tambourine dancers. Using the song "Our God's Not Dead" by the Newsboys.
They won as the the champion on this year's camp in Tambourine Dancing... my Congratulations to them. They were trained by my sister Joy. Glory to God! Happy to witness these young ladies growing up now.
My prayers to all.
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