DANCING WITH HIPPIES
I was sitting home—lonely, bored, and melancholy—watching reruns of Gilligan's Island. My girlfriend had dumped me, and my friends were busy. I learned of a rock festival in downtown Seattle, so I took a chance and drove in. I positioned myself on a grassy knoll near the stage.
In front of me a group of hippies were dancing in a circle, arms locked together. They invited me to join them, and I stepped forward, merging into the circle. After a few moments, I felt exhilarated. It wasn’t just the music or dancing. It was the experience I was sharing with them in community. I distinctly remember wondering, “Is this what heaven’s going to be like?" I left full of life, my depression lifted by a bunch of dancing hippies.
That’s why God created his church—to join with other believers in his dance. Consider this anonymous quote. “God’s music of salvation calls us to dance. It is wonderful and life-transforming; but there is so much more that He has for us. Rather than dancing alone, He calls us to join with others in the dance: to share it together in community.” A beautiful picture of the church, as imperfect as it is.
Decades later, I still vividly recall my hippie-dance, and the sense of community we shared. Yet joining with God's people, in God's dance, in God's community is infinitely sweeter.
But our dance on earth pales in comparison with the outrageous celebration of joy we’ll experience before God’s throne. I picture myself dancing in a big circle with my friends Steve, Dave, Cedric, and Babu—who served Jesus and are waiting for me to join them, along with Linda and a host of others, rejoicing together before God’s throne.
John paints a picture of our celebration in God’s presence. “I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). The text doesn’t mention dancing, but it’s a picture of exuberant celebration.
I visualize this scene almost daily. I’m looking forward to joining you as we dance in a circle of pure joy around the throne of God. Let’s start today. And we don’t need to wait around for a group of hippies to begin.
Principle: Joining with God’s people in God’s dance is much sweeter than rejoicing alone.
Ponder:
In what settings do you experience the joy of sharing in God’s dance?
What spiritual practices help you experience God’s joy?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Revelation chapter 7.
God of joy, thank you for creating a community in which we celebrate your love. It’s so much sweeter than rejoicing alone. We anticipate the time when we will celebrate together with all your people around your throne.
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