Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Celebration?
I think it's safe to say we've all had that moment.
You know the one: Maybe it's in your car. Really good tune turned up real loud. You're singing all-out and then catch the person next to you watching you.
Or maybe it was in your house. Music up at full volume on the stereo. Singing into the hairbrush. Someone who had been knocking on your door finally gave up and just opened it.
Possibly it was watching a sporting event. Your team scores some important points, causing you to bust into a small victory dance. Others glance kind of sideways at you.
And, usually, we just stop. Embarrassed or whatever. We simply stop what we were doing.
For some reason, genuine, joyful celebration can get squelched.
That's what happened to David in 2 Samuel 6:
"And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. So, they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in it's place inside the tent which David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord...
...But when David reutrned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, 'How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himslef today in the eyes of his servant' maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!'"
See, David had a reason to dance. If you remember from yesterday he had taken a "shortcut" in order to get the ark back to Jersusalem in time for the party. Well, he learned a lesson and arranged for the ark to brought to the city as prescribed, and, evidently, another party was planned.
And David danced.
With all his might.
Before the Lord.
In his underwear.
It was a genuine celebration. One of great joy. The ark of the Lord was coming home. If there was ever a time to have the volume up and sing along and do the victory dance, this was it.
So he did.
His wife, the former princess of the former king, and now a queen, was sitting in the car looking over at him. She was knocking on the door and caught him. She looked sideways at his celebration.
In fact, when he got home, that's exactly what she told him. "Look, David, I know what a king is supposed to act like. I grew up in the palace, for crying out loud. Your servants saw you in your little ephod dancing around. Very undistinguished for a man of your stature and and position. You looked like a fool out there. Nice work, king."
And that's what happens in Christian circles sometimes. We have a natural passion for God. We feel like singing. Loudly. We feel like dancing. We feel like clapping along. We feel like we want to tell the world how wonderful our God is...
...and then we get a sideways glance. Reminds us that we're supposed to act like grown-ups.
Ugh.
Why?
Why would anyone want to squelch joy in the Lord in the name of decorum or etiquette?
But they do.
It happens everyday.
So, for today, have you ever seen this happen? Why do you think it does? Is natural expression of joy squelched in churches across America? If so, what can be done about it?
Brent 4:57 AM
Comments:
i've seen it happen...it's happened to me before, quite a few times. and you know what? it seems to me that the best reaction is to keep on dancing. "forget about your two left feet"...dance, and have others join you. joy is to be spread, rather than squelched. why not make it contagious?
Brent, you know I always here you going on and on about how hardly anyone leaves you a comment......well as much as I talk to you this is my first time on your blog, and I'm impressed! I'll leave you a comment every week and you can hold me to that.
Yankee's Suck,
Rachel Gracey
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Yankee's Suck,
Rachel Gracey