Gangnam Styling For Jesus
My employer has quarterly meetings where the entire company comes together. I like to think of these things as pep rallies. We look at where we’ve been and where we’re going.
We had a live band performing at our last one. There’s nothing like hearing live rock’n roll at 9;30 in the morning, let me tell you.
One guy in our company jumped up and began to dance as the music played. Another person on his team joined him. Later, a team member did the Gangnam Style dance. There were about three thoughts that ran through my mind.
- That’s stupid.
- I wouldn’t do that.
- Would I do that for the Lord?
Maybe you’re like me. You were raised that church should be a solemn occasion where you didn’t clap or anything. Heck, the Baptist college I went wouldn’t let us even advertise off-campus dances. They had to be called Foot Functions.
David didn’t worry about that sort of thing. When he finally brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he sacrificed bulls and danced almost naked the whole way. His wife was ashamed of his actions. His only concern was the Lord.
Paul reminds us that being crazy for the Lord is perfectly acceptable. He says in 2 Corinthians 5:13 that if we are “beside ourselves, it is for God.” If we are to be foolish, we should be foolish for the Lord.
I still find it difficult to raise my hand(s) in worship. I find it easier, though, to clap these days. I’m not sure about shucking most of my clothes and dancing in church.
However, I might look into Gangnam Styling for Jesus.
Have you ever done anything silly or stupid for Jesus?
I was in a Mosh Pit for Jesus once at a Supertones concert….oooooow…way back in da day…when Houston still had Astroworld. lol
My first time in worship where people raised their hands I broke out in a cold sweat. Thought for sure someone was going to “speak in tongues.” The day I did it for the first time seemed so strange to me. I did take a pie in the face once but that was not really all that crazy. Stupid maybe but not crazy.
I might get to where I can raise a hand one day Bill.
Foot functions…made me laugh out loud! That is hilarious! So even saying the word “dance” in some circles is bad?
I do silly and stupid stuff all the time…I’ve been working with children and youth my whole life
Do you ever ask yourself, like I do, why it’s so easy to stand and cheer and pump hands in the air and do the wave for your football team at the game, but struggle with showing much joy and enthusiasm at church?
Absolutely. Much of it is my upbringing. I was taught that church was a solemn place to show respect.
Larry, I had the opportunity last week to attend a Messianic Jewish worship service. Talk about a joyful, energetic service…Wow! I loved it! I couldn’t help but wonder if Jesus worshiped the same way and when did Christians get so solemn?
That sounds awesome. We definitely aren’t solemn at our church.
I tend to be really reserved too. We have the whole spectrum at our church, from reserved to outgoing. All are welcome and comfortable. I like it that way. If and when I do go Gangnam styling for Jesus, I want it to be sincere, not just trying to fit in.
Amen, Larry!!!
As a pastor we try to balance this with our worship planning. I think there are lots of reserved people in the church who worship Jesus in stillness. At the same time I want to help people get out of their comfort zones and dance like david but with clothes on.
Always with clothes on, Rob. I want everyone to worship how they are wired. I doubt if I will ever be two hands raised kind if guy. I’m not ever going to run laps. But the day may come that I raise a hand.