Journal entry by Loretta Beyer — March 4, 2021

“Lord of the Dance,” by Carter, using an old Shaker melody, is one of my favorite hymns, because the words and verses take you through the whole of creation.

“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.”

My wish growing up was to have been able to train as a ballerina. That never happened, so it is twice as special to me that God “dances over us with singing, He rejoices over us with love (Zephaniah 3:17).”

According to that song, God not only created the world with the spoken Word, but also danced while He did so!

The second verse talks about when Jesus was on Earth. He moved among the scribes and Pharisees who steadfastly rejected Him and His message, and eventually ended up crucifying Him, because “what the system cannot control, it must destroy.” Jesus also moved among His disciples who received Him gladly, and became the basis for His plan to evangelize the world through them and through those who would follow, making them “Fishers of Men.”

The third verse teaches how He healed the sick on a Sabbath, breaking one of the many manmade rules that comprise religion, for which crime He was crucified.

The fourth verse refers to Good Friday and the whole nightmare of the crucifixion, which He endured just for us (John 3:16).

“They buried my body and they thought I’d gone, but I am the dance and I still live on.”

The fifth stanza radiates victory that can only be supernatural from on high.

“They cut me down and I leapt on high, I am the life, that will never, never die;

I’ll live in you if you live in me; I am the Lord of the Dance said He.”

Chorus

“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.”

My longing to dance with my Jesus will be fulfilled in Heaven soon, and I thank Him for the amazing assurance that I find in His word that “the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (Romans 8:11).”

“Sweet Hour of Prayer,” by Bradbury, is another precious gem from hymnody.

Anyone who has tried to pray for a full hour without having their minds wander multiple times knows how difficult that can be. An example of prayer that my parents set for me was to do 20-minute prayers, which was way beyond my ken.

It wasn’t until much later that I discovered “popcorn” prayers in a group where each could say as little or as much on one given topic, agreeing together, and then going on to the next. Prayer is just a fancy word for “talking with my God, who over time becomes my best friend.” Just like I am currently conversing with you, even though you and I are not physically together.

Don’t worry about the fluency, polish, or format, just learn to spend time listening, meditating, speaking, dancing, enjoying His presence, as you would practice doing with any other relationship with a dear or intimate friend. He waits to hear from us and longs to spend time with His precious children.

Psalm 139:17: “I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me (KJV).”

As a parent, you might sit and wait by the phone for your child to call you, but it seldom happens. God is our daddy and wants the same relationship with us. As in any other, it takes time, but the dividends are huge. While on Earth, Jesus would go up into the mountains and spend all night communing with His Father, to give Him strength for each day.

The two different prayer groups of which I have been a part became one of the highlights of my week. It has since become so natural for me to take anyone, at any time, to the Lord in prayer. What a blessing and gift for all parties.

This hymn by Criven reminds us:

“What a friend we have in Jesus, Oh what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”

James 5:16: “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (KJV).”

Many hymns contain deep theological truths based on Scripture.

Psalm 19:10: “… sweeter than honey in the honeycomb.”

I highly recommend availing yourself of the priceless jewels found in most hymnals and encouraging yourself in the Lord in that way.

This column is published posthumously with permission from the family. Missionary kid Loretta Beyer grew up in Zimbabwe. After graduating college in the U.S. with a degree in music and psychology, she joined her parents in Alpena, because of terrorist warfare in her African home. Over the last 40 years, she has made Alpena her place of ministry.