Learning the Steps
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
July 12, 2015
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Ephesians 1:3-14
When I was in elementary school we had an annual dance festival a few weeks before the end of the school year. For weeks prior we would practice the steps the teachers made up and on the day of the festival inevitably students would forget steps or go the opposite direction despite the practice. Still the biggest part of this festival wasn’t the intense choreographed dancing but the joy that radiated from the students performing and the families watching! Years later I cannot remember any of the steps, but I do remember the fun we had practicing to Will Smiths “Getting’ Jiggy With It” and singing Cher’s “Believe” with friends on the school bus.
Now I must admit I’m not much of a dancer although if the Wobble, Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle or Cotton Eye Joe come on you better watch out! You won’t see me on “So You Think You Can Dance” or “Dancing with the Stars” but anytime there’s a get together you can guarantee that I will jump on the dance floor; I’m pretty sure I spent 95% of my wedding reception dancing. There is such joy from letting loose, a freedom- foolish as I may look. It’s a feeling that is magical, and honest, and beautiful.
And I guess this is why I relate to this story of David found in 2 Samuel. While Michal (Mee-Cal) looked at him with disdain, many looked at their king and SAW his joy of bringing the ark of God to Gods people. His actions brought a wind of change to uplift a nation in need of spiritual renewal.
100 Years earlier the nation of Israel went to war with the Philistines. They brought the ark into battle with them but God did not help his people win that day. The Philistines destroyed Israel’s army and took the ark as a trophy. When they got home they decided to show off the ark in one of their temples. God was not pleased by this and showed it. Plague followed destruction and these events happened every place the ark was taken to.
So the Philistines decided to return the ark to the people, to a city named Beth Shemesh. The people of this city rejoiced at having the ark returned and offered up many sacrifices. Then they decided to look inside the ark and immediately the hand of God struck down 70 men. No one was to glance inside and these people had forgotten this. The city was racked with fear and grief that they had the ark moved to a neighboring town.
Fast forward 100 years and we find David decreeing that the ark come to Jerusalem. He wanted it there as a symbol and testament to the peoples faith in God. Verses 1-5 show us that David gathered 30,000 men to move the ark. They placed it on a cart to move it the ten miles to Jerusalem and led it celebrating with numerous instruments.
Our reading for today then skips to verse 12. Yet in verses 6-12a we find a man who dies after accidentally touching the ark when the cart it was on lost balance, a fearful and angry David who leaves the ark in the home of a believer for a month because he doesn’t want to take it any farther after this death, and a God patiently waiting. We meet David ready to move the ark, but this time the right way. See even though David gathered advisors and questioned how to move the ark they all seemed to forget to look back at scripture to read the instructions God had given from the beginning. “On the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with a covering of fine leather and insert its carrying-poles. They are to take all the utensils they use when serving in the sanctuary and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather and place them on a carrying-frame.”
Not only did David read the manual this time but he realized the issue from his first attempt- he listened to advisors and teachers but not to God. They were so concerned with earthly things like comfort on the journey. I cannot believe they didn’t remember these instructions, rather I think they thought they weren’t necessary. It was 10 miles, and they were supposed to carry this heavy golden box on poles?!?! What harm could it be to place it on a cart and let an oxen do the work for them? Well they found out that God was not joking and didn’t take the ignoring of instruction lightly.
So this second time they did it right. David was so glad to be making God glad that he danced ahead of the ark, not in his royal robes but in a simple cloth robe-a robe that basically meant he was naked in polite company. And this wasn’t some simple two-step! No, David is believed to dance the hora. He kicked out both legs, whirled in a circle and looked utterly foolish. He became caught up in celebrating Gods presence. He danced through the streets with abandon. He praised God with his whole self, let his body say what words could not. He took off his king identity and became David... When is the last time we did the same? Have we lost touch with the grandness of what we are called to do in this place? Have we forgotten about the work we are tasked to do in this world?
Our passage from Ephesians seems a little out of place until we look at in more closely. Like many other books of the New Testament Ephesians is a letter from Paul to the community in Ephesus. Unlike some of the other letters this one was general because it was circulated to 7 churches. And like today each church had their own set of issues and problems. Paul wrote to the heart, the root of the issues, and reminded them that they were blessed and beloved. In these few verses Shavon read today I am reminded of the importance of dancing every once in a while. This letter reminds us of the blessings God has bestowed on us. Before we were born into this world we belonged to God. God loves us so much that he sent his son so we could be forgiven. God plans on making a united world, a family where Jesus is head. God has destined each of us to carry out this plan-it will happen. We are free, free of penalties and punishments, free of shame and fear, abundantly free through Christ.
Friends all of these things show us, remind us, encourage us that our God is awesome, powerful and standing with arms to embrace us, all of us! While our passages are from two different time periods there is a thread that runs through, a thread that calls us to act out of humility, servanthood and love with all those we encounter, a thread that binds us all together. And so like God we are called to open our arms and welcome in those around us, to open our doors and be hospitable, to let go of the societal expectations that weigh us down.
David was not always so free in his worship as he was in these verses. There are many times where he wears his kingly crown and regal robes to make decisions, there are many times he is called to be a leader and ruler. But in his heart of hearts he will always be a shepherd boy. A simple man who wrote psalms of longing and love to God, the God he knew intimately. A man who’s faith and trust led him to do miraculous things. A man who let God speak and guide him through the day to day. And just like David no matter our degrees, our jobs, the authority we may be bestowed with, we are Gods beloved who God knows, has known and will care for throughout eternity. We are a family, believers bound together by the love of an all knowing parent.
David learned the steps of faith as a shepherd boy, continuing through life, learning about leadership and relationship. And the David we see leading the ark is one who has internalized these steps. David calls each of us and challenges us to spiritual renewal. To throw off the old ways and stuffy traditions, to embrace God wholeheartedly, to worship unashamed because we are Gods and the ways of man are not the ways of God. We must know God in our hearts!
The steps haven’t come easy for many of us and for each of them we have learned them differently. We have struggled and forgotten a few here and there but God continues to offer lessons so that we can move in rhythm together and with God from now until the end of days. This dance of faith, dance of life is so much more than physical expressions. It is our call and challenge to create a world of harmony and unity and joy. When we lean in and trust the Almighty we can see our potential in Gods promises. We unlock the beauty and complexity of living in a world where God reigns and Gods will is evident when we trust in the teacher.
We dance beloved! We let our anxieties, fears, frustrations, hesitations and preconceived notions go and allow God to move in us and through us so this world becomes a better place where justice and love reign. Let us learn the steps together and make a beautiful offering to our heavenly parent!
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
July 12, 2015
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Ephesians 1:3-14
When I was in elementary school we had an annual dance festival a few weeks before the end of the school year. For weeks prior we would practice the steps the teachers made up and on the day of the festival inevitably students would forget steps or go the opposite direction despite the practice. Still the biggest part of this festival wasn’t the intense choreographed dancing but the joy that radiated from the students performing and the families watching! Years later I cannot remember any of the steps, but I do remember the fun we had practicing to Will Smiths “Getting’ Jiggy With It” and singing Cher’s “Believe” with friends on the school bus.
Now I must admit I’m not much of a dancer although if the Wobble, Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle or Cotton Eye Joe come on you better watch out! You won’t see me on “So You Think You Can Dance” or “Dancing with the Stars” but anytime there’s a get together you can guarantee that I will jump on the dance floor; I’m pretty sure I spent 95% of my wedding reception dancing. There is such joy from letting loose, a freedom- foolish as I may look. It’s a feeling that is magical, and honest, and beautiful.
And I guess this is why I relate to this story of David found in 2 Samuel. While Michal (Mee-Cal) looked at him with disdain, many looked at their king and SAW his joy of bringing the ark of God to Gods people. His actions brought a wind of change to uplift a nation in need of spiritual renewal.
100 Years earlier the nation of Israel went to war with the Philistines. They brought the ark into battle with them but God did not help his people win that day. The Philistines destroyed Israel’s army and took the ark as a trophy. When they got home they decided to show off the ark in one of their temples. God was not pleased by this and showed it. Plague followed destruction and these events happened every place the ark was taken to.
So the Philistines decided to return the ark to the people, to a city named Beth Shemesh. The people of this city rejoiced at having the ark returned and offered up many sacrifices. Then they decided to look inside the ark and immediately the hand of God struck down 70 men. No one was to glance inside and these people had forgotten this. The city was racked with fear and grief that they had the ark moved to a neighboring town.
Fast forward 100 years and we find David decreeing that the ark come to Jerusalem. He wanted it there as a symbol and testament to the peoples faith in God. Verses 1-5 show us that David gathered 30,000 men to move the ark. They placed it on a cart to move it the ten miles to Jerusalem and led it celebrating with numerous instruments.
Our reading for today then skips to verse 12. Yet in verses 6-12a we find a man who dies after accidentally touching the ark when the cart it was on lost balance, a fearful and angry David who leaves the ark in the home of a believer for a month because he doesn’t want to take it any farther after this death, and a God patiently waiting. We meet David ready to move the ark, but this time the right way. See even though David gathered advisors and questioned how to move the ark they all seemed to forget to look back at scripture to read the instructions God had given from the beginning. “On the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with a covering of fine leather and insert its carrying-poles. They are to take all the utensils they use when serving in the sanctuary and put them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather and place them on a carrying-frame.”
Not only did David read the manual this time but he realized the issue from his first attempt- he listened to advisors and teachers but not to God. They were so concerned with earthly things like comfort on the journey. I cannot believe they didn’t remember these instructions, rather I think they thought they weren’t necessary. It was 10 miles, and they were supposed to carry this heavy golden box on poles?!?! What harm could it be to place it on a cart and let an oxen do the work for them? Well they found out that God was not joking and didn’t take the ignoring of instruction lightly.
So this second time they did it right. David was so glad to be making God glad that he danced ahead of the ark, not in his royal robes but in a simple cloth robe-a robe that basically meant he was naked in polite company. And this wasn’t some simple two-step! No, David is believed to dance the hora. He kicked out both legs, whirled in a circle and looked utterly foolish. He became caught up in celebrating Gods presence. He danced through the streets with abandon. He praised God with his whole self, let his body say what words could not. He took off his king identity and became David... When is the last time we did the same? Have we lost touch with the grandness of what we are called to do in this place? Have we forgotten about the work we are tasked to do in this world?
Our passage from Ephesians seems a little out of place until we look at in more closely. Like many other books of the New Testament Ephesians is a letter from Paul to the community in Ephesus. Unlike some of the other letters this one was general because it was circulated to 7 churches. And like today each church had their own set of issues and problems. Paul wrote to the heart, the root of the issues, and reminded them that they were blessed and beloved. In these few verses Shavon read today I am reminded of the importance of dancing every once in a while. This letter reminds us of the blessings God has bestowed on us. Before we were born into this world we belonged to God. God loves us so much that he sent his son so we could be forgiven. God plans on making a united world, a family where Jesus is head. God has destined each of us to carry out this plan-it will happen. We are free, free of penalties and punishments, free of shame and fear, abundantly free through Christ.
Friends all of these things show us, remind us, encourage us that our God is awesome, powerful and standing with arms to embrace us, all of us! While our passages are from two different time periods there is a thread that runs through, a thread that calls us to act out of humility, servanthood and love with all those we encounter, a thread that binds us all together. And so like God we are called to open our arms and welcome in those around us, to open our doors and be hospitable, to let go of the societal expectations that weigh us down.
David was not always so free in his worship as he was in these verses. There are many times where he wears his kingly crown and regal robes to make decisions, there are many times he is called to be a leader and ruler. But in his heart of hearts he will always be a shepherd boy. A simple man who wrote psalms of longing and love to God, the God he knew intimately. A man who’s faith and trust led him to do miraculous things. A man who let God speak and guide him through the day to day. And just like David no matter our degrees, our jobs, the authority we may be bestowed with, we are Gods beloved who God knows, has known and will care for throughout eternity. We are a family, believers bound together by the love of an all knowing parent.
David learned the steps of faith as a shepherd boy, continuing through life, learning about leadership and relationship. And the David we see leading the ark is one who has internalized these steps. David calls each of us and challenges us to spiritual renewal. To throw off the old ways and stuffy traditions, to embrace God wholeheartedly, to worship unashamed because we are Gods and the ways of man are not the ways of God. We must know God in our hearts!
The steps haven’t come easy for many of us and for each of them we have learned them differently. We have struggled and forgotten a few here and there but God continues to offer lessons so that we can move in rhythm together and with God from now until the end of days. This dance of faith, dance of life is so much more than physical expressions. It is our call and challenge to create a world of harmony and unity and joy. When we lean in and trust the Almighty we can see our potential in Gods promises. We unlock the beauty and complexity of living in a world where God reigns and Gods will is evident when we trust in the teacher.
We dance beloved! We let our anxieties, fears, frustrations, hesitations and preconceived notions go and allow God to move in us and through us so this world becomes a better place where justice and love reign. Let us learn the steps together and make a beautiful offering to our heavenly parent!
