This poem was inspired during a retreat by the sharing of those who had been serving at the edges of missions for many years. May all those serving at the edges receive God’s invitation to dance.

It isn’t all bad, 
This desire we have 
To work, work, work 
Toward some grand 
Healing of this world.

It’s just rather ironic.

We want to work for God, 
While he just wants to dance,
Knowing that healing, without a thought, 
Trails his sublime movements like a wake.
 
All he needs is a partner.
 
And there we are fretting, 
Even scolding the Divine,

“You really need to 
Stop all this dancing—
 
You know?—

And get back to work 
Healing the world.”

What a remarkable capacity we have 
For missing the point!
 
So allow me to state it plainly:

It is the dance that heals.

And the look in God’s eye, 
Not to mention the deep breath
He just took, tells me 
He’s almost done mustering
The courage to ask you,

“May I have this dance?”