What's the irony here?
James 1:3 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Our praise band rehearsed a song tonight, called "I Am Free". I can't wait till the students get a chance to experience the truth of this song. It allows you to sing literally at the top of your lungs, "I am free!" What are we free to do? We're free to run. We're free to dance. We're free to live for Christ!
It's the opposite of fear. Fear that if we run, someone might see and think something. Or if we dance (God doesn't forbid that!)--Baptists need to learn how to dance unhindered before the Lord, and experience the Word of God in James 1 in a fresh and freeing way.
Many have been closed up like a prune for so long that perhaps they've long forgotten how freeing it is to just dance like a child, before their heavenly father. The guy from the Six Flags commercial, (above) flies in the face of convention. My son (who also flies in the face of convention) was so happy tonight at the simplest thing on TV, and it moved him. He literally wiggled and giggled a bit. I'm not advocating chaotic frenzy, but then again, some may define that in such a way as to include worshipping in the ways King David did--undignified, unclothed, yes. (Some suggest that there were other motives relating to David's proclivity to women, but I'm not so sure).
Why do we look at others when we worship? 1. To be inspired at the work of God in their hearts. 2. To see if they're looking at us! 3. To yearn for a closer, deeper experience and connection with God. Which one do you? My heart of hearts wants that freedom! The freedom's already there for us to receive! However you worship, whether in silence, simplicity, or full throttle, are you free? Emotionalism can enslave, just as much as stoicism can. But those who want to be free...Who wants to run with me? Who wants to join me in the dance?
There's freedom waiting in the pages of the Word. Jump in! Do what it says! Don't just hear! Be free in your obedience to Christ!
6 comments:
I do, Derik
Derik, I'd love to see you dance a jig.
Hey Derik, Thank you for commenting on my site. I am so glad that you and Allison can view it. I enjoyed your message today. We do need to let ourselves be more free. I hope you guys are doing well. Miss you. Christy
Dance on, brother! Dan and I are with ya'on that "stop worrying about what others think" mentality...
Rachele
Doin' the dance...sounds like a song I know from a guy named Steven Curtis Chapman...hmm. Thanks guys for the comments! Let's all dance a little harder eh?
great entry! :)
I have "family" from Ghana - a lot of them - that became a part of my family when they came to live with my grandma to take care of her before she went to heaven. I loved watching them all sing hymns/worship together at my grandma's house. My grandma loved the Lord so much, her tradition were cast aside and she moved right along with them. It was so awesome. I'll never forget coming into her house and seeing them all listen to reggae gospel together! :) the white, white haired, petite lady and her complete opposite in look & background african sisters together in unity.
I do whatever I can to just not look at anybody. Even if it means closing my eyes - well then so be it.
It even bothers me when people in a congregation come and 'try' to get you worshipping the way *they* want you to (walking up and down aisles trying to get you to clap)..... I don't think we should be on display or even care what others.
the best way to get people to worship God and to be free with it --- is to BE the change you want to see.
If I want everybody to feel free to worship - well then I have to be that change I want to see. I have to give myself to God in my worship times freely and openly --- and let His light shine. It will be a process I think because I have years of, "don't be a distraction" engrained in me from whisperings from authority during church. but ultimately I have to learn to give my heart to God --- and not care if I'm a distraction to others or not. It's about Him - not them.
When we do that, give openly and freely to Him --- our show of that freedom automatically gives others permission to do the same.
YAY! :)
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