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The Word in the Wings

The Word in the Wings  > Open to Newness

Open to Newness

By: Audrey Hammitt

Most people would probably tell you they don’t like change. 

Some reasons why might be the adjustments, learning curves, and shortcomings that can come with change. In my own times of big life changes, I’ve found it helpful to appreciate and lean into the aspects of my life that hadn’t changed–friends, family, the ability to dance, and, of course, Jesus. These familiar and dependable pillars in my life helped me to make sense about my new situations and to ground me, even though my life may have still felt nebulous. You might also have a go-to person or activity that you run to in times of change to preserve your sense of safety or of being known. But what do we do when one of those seemingly stable things in our life changes or is completely gone? What does it look like to receive something new we didn’t want or prepare for? What kind of perspective can we keep about newness, which Jesus uses to describe His work and the kingdom of God in Matthew 9? How can we approach dance, and any art form, with an open heart to what the Lord might want to offer us through it?

change

As someone who has been dancing for the past 20+ years, I acknowledge that dance is not new to me. So, there are aspects of the art form that have become easier for me to grasp and interact with through my training. However, in order to better interact with and minister to someone without a dance background, I want to also be able to step back and consider what a new audience member might experience. No matter how new watching dance is to you, I believe God has something to give to you, if you are open to receiving it.

For the purpose of this post, imagine with me that you are a first-timer at a GPA show, and we are watching a show together.

First, let’s ground ourselves with something familiar–music. We have all heard music in some form or fashion in our lives, so that is the first entry point I would encourage you to approach what you are experiencing. Some questions to consider are: What style of music is it? What’s the tempo—upbeat, slow, moderate? Does the music evoke any emotions in you? Next, consider the dancer(s) bodies and movement. Do you see any familiar movements or shapes that you might see in everyday life? Are they executing lots of jumps and turns? Or maybe they are reaching and connecting with each other? What kind of facial expressions are they making? While the dancers have rehearsed many hours to become familiar with their steps and expressions, you as a new audience member get to take in the full picture for the first time and synthesize your own interpretation of this new experience.

 

After the show, as we mingle with other audience members and the performers, you can think about the entire show and dialogue with others, as you might after a movie or sports game. As a whole, did the show conclude with a particular resolution in shape, emotion, or movement? Did you make any personal connections with any of the characters, parts of the story, or themes? Are there any unresolved questions lingering in your mind? Dance might seem intimidating to interact with if it feels new to you, however, God has given you the tools and experiences to partake in it. Start with what you are familiar with – music, body movements, and emotional expressions, and let your mind connect your observations to your own past experiences, emotions, and conversations. You bring a unique perspective to what you experience, and as you talk with others, they might be blessed by what you share. (If these types of observation and discussion questions pique your interest, you might enjoy one of our Dance & Dialogue performances!)

"Receiving a gift is not something we can muster up ourselves - it REQUIRES a giver, a gift, and a receiver."

Attending a GDT performance is like receiving a gift. Receiving a gift is not something we can muster up in ourselves—it requires a giver, a gift, and a receiver. Our performances would lack an important piece of this equation if we did not have attendees to receive our dancing gift for them. Ultimately, any gift we have to give others has first come down from “the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Even our own personal generosity can only be possible because we have a generous God who gave to us first. 

Receiving a gift

 

Some of the best gifts are surprises and attuned to a memory, our personality, or to one of our favorite things. But would these gifts be as enjoyable if we had planned them out for ourselves? Isn’t there something extra special about being surprised, well-known, and well-loved by another person? Reflect on a moment in the past that you have seen God provide for you in an unexpected way. As the perfect Giver, God knows exactly what you need and when you need it, which is important to remember when our life may have taken a surprising turn. I’d like to invite you to consider the gifts God has given you in your current life situation. Are there any gifts He has given you that you haven’t “opened” yet? Are there any challenging situations that might be His invitation to you to draw nearer to Him?

 

"God is all about providing ways for us to know Him better..."

gift

 

God is all about providing ways for us to know Him better, especially within transitions in life. Jesus’ parables, “I am” statements, and references to and fulfillments of the Old Testament all point to Him desiring us to learn about His character and purposes. However, most of what Jesus taught was new and a bit mindblowing to His audience, and His instructions to love God and others remain counter-cultural today. Because Jesus knew the limited perspectives and often flawed thinking of His listeners, He made illustrations with common elements of the society in that day to create a bridge to understand a new concept. When comparing the kingdom of God to new wine and new wineskins in Matthew 9, Jesus paired the grandeur of God’s kingdom with a common, tangible facet of life in that age to aid others’ comprehension of the truth. 

Although wineskins were common back then, you might not be so familiar with them. Similarly, no one would have been able to make much sense of His teaching (except by the Holy Spirit!) if He had told a parable about a new pointe shoe (see my previous post). You could think about this parable as a spoken art form to help His hearers envision how His new covenant and kingdom (new wine) cannot fit into the old context of the old covenant or how things have been done before He came (old wineskins). We must not give into the temptation to feel like our life is ruined if it doesn’t go how we thought or would have liked it to go, like how old, stiff wineskins burst when filled with new wine. Like new, stretchy wineskins, I think Jesus was implying that His hearers must open their minds and hearts to receive this new, unexpected gift of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and to live in a way that reflects Him. However, only His Spirit (like a new wine in a new wineskin) enables us to walk in this new way of life. 

With this exploration of newness in mind, I am choosing to continue to see my life as it is now as a gift from God. Although this upcoming season with GDT will be my first whole year of performances unattended by my late mother, God has not finished His work in my life and dancing. Living without my mom feels like it needs a new wine skin because I have been changed as well as have my circumstances. I would have never wanted my life to go this way, nor could I have foreseen this coming. Yet, I am invited to unwrap the newness. I can’t expect to function how or do what I did before. My place of comfort in Mom is no longer here, so I have to be open to the new avenues through which God is comforting and caring for me. I want to be receptive to the new relationships, opportunities, and connections this new chapter offers, and not harden my heart because of the grief and loss I feel. Just how each rehearsal day includes a fresh opportunity to be faithful with my body, dancing, and mind, so too each sunrise presents us with a chance to walk in faith in Jesus. In Christ, we get to depend on the One who is both perfectly faithful, yet also extends new mercies to us each day.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

joining the corps

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