Circle Dance Part 1

Circle dances are common throughout history and around the world. In fact, the circle dance is one of the oldest forms of dance. In a circle dance, participants gather to form a circle. When they dance, they are not only individuals who happen to stand in a circle. They are dancing together as a group. The dancers form a community and the dance itself is made up of all their movements. Whether it is a group of 5 people or a group of thousands, each person is part of a larger whole and it is the movement of the whole that becomes the dance. The dance takes on its own life. Even as individuals come and go, the dance continues.  

Sometimes when I’m at worship I look at the semicircle of people gathered around the alter I try to imagine the scene from God’s perspective. I imagine the rest of the circle completed by all the other communities of faith worshiping at the same time or on the same day. God is in the center and all of the communities gather in a circle around God. Throughout worship their movement and song form the dance. God’s presence radiates through the entire circle across all congregations like the music of a dance.  

The next time you worship, open your heart to God sharing God’s perspective of the circle with you. Look beyond the alter and imagine the people from every other congregation – no matter what tradition. See them joining your congregation and completing the circle.

Lift them to God in prayer and thanksgiving for being part of the unbroken circle of God’s love. This experience is meant to be shared. Tell someone what God revealed to you.