Dancing in the Living Room
Have you ever watched kids when they listen to music? They don’t just listen with their ears. They listen with their whole bodies. They dance and sing along. Their joy radiates! I remember being in music class as a child singing with tambourines and maracas. It was so much fun! I couldn’t wait to go to music class each week.
When I read Psalm 149, that is the kind of joy I imagine in my mind — “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.” While studying this verse God whispered to my heart, “Why did you stop what I started in your youth?”
Whoa….
Why did I stop? When did dancing and singing with praise become something to be contained? God tells us this joy and praise is more than worship. It’s a weapon. It brings victory. God describes it as “a double edged sword in their hands” (Psalm 149:6). Somewhere along the way my adult self confined this praise to the dance studio or the kitchen. Singing is confined to the shower or my vehicle.
My God is not a God of confinement. He is a God of freedom. Why do I choose to chain my praise?
God prompted me to think about the movie Moana. He whispered, “Pay attention to the grandmother.”
And again….my heart and mind said….whoa….
In the movie, the tribe is confined to the island — afraid to go beyond the reef. Even when the island is dying, the chief still refuses to use the boats they have to sail beyond their self-imposed boundaries. Typically, at this point, you focus on Moana and her journey to save her people. However, it was her grandmother who shared the stories of her people; who continued to dance to her own beat; and who was free to guide Moana to the hidden boats of her people. Without her grandmother persisting in being free from confinement, Moana would not have been guided to what she needed to go on the journey meant for her.
When I realized this, God whispered, “I use your singing and dancing to help others on their journeys. It doesn’t belong in confinement.” My mind went to dancing around in the front yard — even if the neighbors laugh. I thought about singing on my run — even if I get odd looks. Being openly joyful frees me and can bring freedom to others. The laugher, odd looks, or whispers of others are nothing compared to the joy of the Lord.
Today, I am going to hum and sing and dance throughout my day. I will do it again tomorrow and the day after that. I will let my joy free for the rest of my life.
What about you? How will you release your joy? Are you willing to be seen as silly or odd because of your praise? How might your heart find a new level of freedom by expressing this praise? Give it a go! I would love to hear about your experience!