Dancing
Well yesterday was Easter Sunday. Easter is my favorite holiday. The birth of the King is great and all, but there's something about His sacrifice that really strikes a chord in my soul. It's beautiful to me.
So I'm standing there in church and we're singing some songs. And I don't know why, but my natural position is to stand with my arms crossed. And suddenly I hear Lauren screaming in my ear.
When I was at Mercy, we started every morning with Bible reading, prayer, and song. One day after we were finished singing, Lauren walked to the front of the room and started in on one of her speeches. She pointed out how many of us were worshiping with our arms crossed. She asked us how we could accept Jesus and open our hearts to him with our arms crossed across our chests. How could we truly be free to worship like that?
It really hit home with me. Every time I'm standing up singing, my arms naturally fold across my chest and I hear Lauren yelling in my ear and I quickly drop my arms to my side and open my hands. Ready to receive. Ready to worship.
And it makes a difference. It really does. It makes me listen to the lyrics. It reminds me of my brokenness. It encourages me to surrender. It lets me embrace the love of Jesus.
Crossing my arms creates a barrier. It's like I put this wall up. I don't let anything in or out. And that's no way to live.
And it makes me think: if I do this while I'm worshiping, whose to say I'm not doing it when I'm talking to a coworker. Or my daughter. Or my friends.
Whose to say I'm not living my life with my arms across my chest? Wall up. Armor on. Ready to fight at the drop of a hat.
Whose to say I'm not letting people in? Isolate. Push away.
Whose to say I'm not giving back? Selfish. Miserly.
Whose to say I'm not embracing the good? Pessimistic. Unforgiving.
Whose to say I'm not accepting love? Unworthy. Alone.
All because I walk through life with my arms crossed.
I think Lauren was talking about more than just worship when she gave her speech. I think she was talking about love and surrender. Which I guess is what worship is all about. So maybe she was just talking about worship. I don't know what was running through her head. But I do know that she was watching out for us that day. Because posture is important.
Worship is about love. It's about expressing and accepting love. You express your love for Jesus and you embrace God's love for you. It's as simple as that.
When I was at Mercy I was introduced to a worship team from Bethel Church. They perform some of the most moving songs that I have ever heard. Here are the lyrics to one of my favorites:
“You steady me
Slow and sweet, we sway
Take the lead and I will follow
Finally ready now
To close my eyes and just believe
That you won’t lead me
Where you don’t go
When my faith gets tired
And my hope seems lost
You spin me round and round
And remind me of that song
The one you wrote for me
And we dance
And I’ve been told
To pick up my sword
And fight for love
Little did I know
That love had won for me
Here in your arms
You still my heart again
And I breathe you in
Like I’ve never breathed ‘till now
And I lock my eyes
With the one who’s ransomed me
The one who gave me joy for mourning
And I will lock my eyes
With the One who’s chosen me
The one who set my feet to dancing
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I’ve found my home here in your arms”
This song is about a dance between lovers. And that's what Jesus is. My lover. He spins me round and round. He gives me joy for mourning. He sets my feet to dancing. I am not alone. And in his arms I am home.
The world tells us that we must fight for love. Jesus gives it freely.
So I will open my arms and let down my wall. I will surrender. I will let love flow in and out. And I will dance.