David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals. --2 Samuel 6:5
(This is a silly, lightweight blog post. Sorry-- it's nearly 100 degrees and very humid where I am, so just relax and come along for the ride.)
I have heard of a number of churches this summer where the pastor is preaching a sermon series on popular music. The premise is that there is plenty of God to be found, even in our secular tunes and lyrics.
I have no problem with that. At all.
But I do hope they somehow manage to at least be a little bit scriptural in their approach.
That's why I picked this verse from 2 Samuel. It's one of my favorites, because of the mental imagery it evokes. David and the whole house of Israel are dancing their feathers off with joy!
They are transporting the Ark of the Lord-- and could not be more filled with joy. (Never mind that a few verses later, there is an unfortunate incident with the Ark going off-balanced and tipping. . . .)
No, right now, in this verse, the joy is palpable. This is worship, pure and unadulterated. David does not care who is watching or whether he looks like a king-- or not.
He is in the presence of the Lord! If that is not reason enough to dance, what is? What will it take to stir your soul? (A little Motown, perhaps?)
Soon and very soon, the heat will break. My mind will return to its usual state, and we will get serious again.
Wait, wait-- what am I thinking? This blog is about prayer. And hope. And joy. And celebrating the goodness of life, right here, right now. Put on your red shoes and dance!
Thank you, Lord God, for leading us in the Dance. As we celebrate, help us to remember why we dance. For without your presence in our lives, our steps falter. Without you to lead us, the rhythm of life falls out of sync. You, O Lord, stir our souls to sing. Thanks be to God. Amen!
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