Let’s Dance? – Psalm 150

I grew up in an area and church culture that frowned upon dancing.  That was because dancing was seen as something that led to immorality.  I remember at a youth conference one man saying, “If you don’t get turned on by someone jiggling in front of you for several hours, then something is wrong.  That’s why we don’t support dances and dancing.”

And to their credit, most of the dances I knew at the time actually did lead to immorality.  They were in dark halls, people dancing sometimes Ok, sometimes suggestively, and oftentimes it didn’t lead to appropriateness.

But that all changed when I entered into a culture where dance was very much part of the culture.  I had the privilege of seeing dance in beautiful ways that were worshipful, God-honoring and particularly moving.  It wasn’t hard for me to make a paradigm shift as not being someone who naturally dances, it wasn’t a big issue for me.

But a paradigm shift I did make.  It is good to dance before the Lord!

Not just to dance but to sing and make music with stringed instruments, drums and more!  The Lord wants us to celebrate.  And it is possible to do so in a holy and honoring way.  The Jewish people do this well.  So do the Brazilians.  And island cultures.  It is a way of praise and worship!

And so let’s sing.  Let’s bring out the instruments.  And let’s….dance!  With all that we are, let’s celebrate and praise the Lord!

Psalm 150