Welcome to SHINE A LIGHT's ISSUE #2 featuring SHOW WEEK ENCOURAGEMENT! Shine A Light is our program which is teaching your ballerinas how to SHINE BRIGHT in a world of darkness. We pray this postures our hearts for a season of glorifying the LIGHT of the world.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you"
Prince of Peace. The name of Jesus we all hold dear to our hearts. The name that reminds us of the comfort we receive when we sit under the teaching of our Jesus. The name that calms our anxieties and worries. The name that comforts us the most.
Prince: This tells us that He is in a position of royalty and power. This time of year we celebrate the baby who was laid in a manger in a dark and cold stable. But in the book of Isaiah we read the prophecy of a prince to come. A manger is no fit for a king, especially the King of kings. But here we are, approaching our annual celebration of the King in the manger. And this baby came clothed in royalty and full of power.
Isaiah 9:7 "Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The Zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
Peace: Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Now, raise those hands if this sounds like something we (as in every mother, teenage girl, business woman, etc.) are in need of. Especially during the sweetest, most calmest time of year ;) Don't worry, I know Christmas is pretty much the exact opposite- more like, filled with extra long ballet rehearsals, many trips to the ballet store picking up a new pair of tights since the little one just fell and tore her show pair when we told her specifically not to run around in them, rereading the packet a thousand times because it's just so much, store after store after store grabbing all the deals on all the different, hobby lobby trips to pick up that one extra tree topping... am I ringing the bells? Or is it just me? Definitely not the calmest time of year like it was made to be.
But through my many conversations with company I have noticed that their little minds are just as overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions as us... if not more. They are growing up in a generation that is consumed by anxiety and worries. Worries of what anyone and everyone around them is thinking about them. We have spent many hours learning of this Prince of Peace and what exactly he says about calming our anxious thoughts.
We have learned that our Prince of Peace is here to reign over those anxious thoughts, lies that keep us from excelling, the overwhelmingly desire to people-please, and anything holding us back from our full potential. This is a message for you. Allow the Prince of Peace to overwhelm you this Christmas season. Lay the anxious thoughts, lies, worries and every thought holding you back at His feet. Allow Him to catapult your into your full potential and into the woman He has destined you to be. Remember, He made you. He knows the plans He has for you; so trust Him and break free of the chains holding you back.
Colossians 3:15-16 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
As we step into our favorite week of the year, we invite the Prince of Peace to come and reign over PGD. Will you join us in this prayer?
"Prince of Peace, come reign. We invite your Spirit into every rehearsal, stretch, movement, and moment. We ask that you go before us and behind us surrounding every dancer, teacher, and family with the peace that you are sovereign. Cover us with your healing hand keeping all sickness and injuries out allowing every ballerina to worship you and tell your story. Prince of Peace, calm every bit of anxiety and worry that goes through our ballerinas brains. May they learn to lean on you and long for your comfort. Here in this moment we are desperate for you. Make your Spirit be heavy inside our studio. We cling to our Comforter God; Emmanuel, be strong this week."
HAPPY SHOW WEEK! Miss Ansleigh