“David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!” – 2 Samuel 6:21-22
This passage in the Bible describes how David was celebrating God while bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. We know that David had a really personal relationship with God. He wrote beautiful, anguish prayers to God while being persecuted by Saul. He played and sung beautiful songs of praise. In this passage, he is celebrating dancing in the streets like a maniac while praising God.
He was a king at the moment. ‘How vulgar’, Michal his wife, criticized him. Critics. They are always on the bleachers or the windows, like Michal. Even Jesus suffered it. He was dining with sinners. He and his disciples did not cleanse themselves properly. And Mary? How she dared to break an expensive perfume and use her hair to wash Jesus feet!
David was an example of how to worship God. At the core of worshiping should be intentionality. The media and time we use is irrelevant. It needs to be initiated by us. We need to use any action, any skill, any moment to do it.
Until I started working in a church I didn’t realize how much thought and energy goes into worship planning. This quarantine has put it on steroids because of that merciless realm of social media and online presence.
As a church, we need to be careful not to fall into the comparison trap that makes life miserable for many social media users. I follow groups of Children Ministries around the world, and these groups that used to be for support and bouncing ideas have become a place of competition of who is doing more, who has money to do it really well, who can be the most creative, even if it becomes as ludicrous as having your dog impersonate David for a children lesson.
Here I am … criticizing as well.
My point is that we Christians are responsible for intentional worshiping. The same intention that gets us to dress and go to church on Sundays applies online, and whenever, wherever… as Shakira sings.
As church member, and as church staff, I need to be conscious in not replacing God with the media. Worship media and expressions can create beautiful moments that mean nothing if I have no intention, nor desire to praise God in my heart. David’s dance was vulgar for Michal, but it brought joy for the people that joined him in his celebration.
Worship starts within me.
May God give us a heart that gives glory to him with all kind of joyful expressions.
Liliana Mariano