I like to dance when I’m giving God my praise. I’m not always coordinated. During high school when I led praise and worship at churches I had to hold the mic on the stand because if I started dancing and my eyes were closed then I would run into the mic. Oops. But I get inspired when I read of King David dancing undignified before the Lord in his underwear. “When she (Michal) saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him…David retorted to Michal, ‘I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this…’ ” (2 Samuel 6:16,21,22) I get pumped when I hear the song: “And I’ll become even more undignified than this, some may say it’s foolishness…”
Worshiping God is NOT limited to our American flavored worship bands, lights, power point, and music. I believe He invites us to imagine and create new and different and varying ways to worship Him constantly. Worship is to show God reverence and adoration. The command to revere and adore God, maker of heaven and earth, leaves the options pretty open. Dancing-undignified happens to be one of my favorite ways that excite my senses and makes me breathless and leaves me in awe of our Creator. I get lost in His presence when I dance before Him. Everything about me dissolves within the Living Water that overcomes me. Christmas evening I borrowed Becky’s MP3 player, went onto the beach shore outside where we are staying for the holiday week, and danced before my audience of One…with some Chris Tomlin and a little David Crowder to accompany me…
…I had my hands raised up high in the dark evening sky. My eyes could see the vastness of the ocean as the waves that crashed at my feet reminded me how God told it where to stop. I jumped up and over and to and from the water that soaked my legs. I danced in circles and twirled to the melody of the songs. It was just “You and me.” I spun until it left me sitting humbled on the shore. How great is my God! It was a beautiful time alone with Him. I fell into His heart and rejoiced at His presence. I cared only for my King. I jumped over the waves and stood real before Him. I kicked the water and laughed with Him. My Lord made this shore and the land I walked on. He healed me and my limbs so I could dance before Him in praise. I was humbled by His greatness as I focused on the magnificence and power and love and grace and fullness and faithfulness and mercy of God. He chose the weak to lead the strong. He chose me. I was awakened to Him, He’s real. Sometimes I don’t think I take God seriously. I blow Him off and go on with things as if He didn’t care. Yet He wants to be so involved in our lives. He wants to become the electricity in our veins that get us dancing before Him. How could I do anything else after recognizing all He’s done and is doing for me – after meeting and knowing Him.
Praise Him under open skies, God is God. Circumstance doesn’t change who He is. Ever had an event but forgot to invite God? It’s all about You, Jesus. He is there, listening and deserving of our praise. It’s not about the atmosphere, or feeling, or what songs you like or even knowing the words. Standing before the Almighty to declare, with or without words, that He is God! Adoration – I adore my Lord! I want to worship and focus all my energy on You and Your glory. I want so much sometimes, so much that’s of my flesh. That meant nothing as I stood looking into the heavens. Great is Your faithfulness, You wrestle with the sinner’s heart. I wrote “ME” in the sand and joyfully watched the mighty waves wash it away as if it was never written. His grace is enough. Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. Our God will reign forever. Today, today it’s all or nothing. Take, take, take it all. Lord, let all the earth rejoice!
(If the video doesn’t pop up click the blog title.)
