Behold the Joy of Jesus by Lindena Robb

This liturgy was born from spending time with John 11:1-16, the story of the death of Lazarus. Jesus receives word that his beloved friend Lazarus is gravely ill. He delays going to heal him and Lazarus dies. This caused me to reflect on God’s timing which led me to think of dancing. When a couple is moving together in perfect timing it is a beautiful thing to behold. It can be a disaster when the timing is off. A poem/prayer was born out of my desire to trust in God’s timing, both when I understand it and when I don’t.

God led me to combined this poem/prayer with the joyful folk hymn Lord of the Dance (United Methodist Hymnal #261 verses 1, 2, 5; known in other hymnals as I Danced in the Morning). May you be moved to trust God more and more everyday. – Lisa <><

For the devotion which inspired this liturgy, click here

Liturgy: Lord of the Dance
ALL SINGING
I danced in the morning when the world was begun
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth
Dance, then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees
But they wouldn’t dance, they wouldn’t follow me
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
They came to me so the dance went on
Dance, then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he

ONE VOICE
There are times when I feel in perfect rhythm with you
Other times I feel out of step
Confused and unnerved like a child on her first day of class
You offer me your hand again, that I may follow your lead
I want to fly in your arms, trusting you are always there to catch me
but I hold back
I have been dropped before by other partners

You understand
You are a patient teacher

You train me in the discipline of your ways
I become flexible and strong
Quicker to respond to your touch
You show me step after step
I begin to understand your timing
I want to trust it, even when you are beyond my sight
You move again and again and again in my life
My confidence in you grows
I take the leap of faith

ALL SINGING
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that’ll never, never die
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me
I am the Lord of the dance, said he
Dance, then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he

Poem and Compilation © 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.