Hello,
I spent the weekend in the Quad Cities, actually just two of them,
Davenport and Bettendorf (Iowa). I
was there to celebrate the wedding of my niece, and a wonderful celebration it
was. The weather was great. Visiting with relatives was a treat,
and everything about the wedding was simply grand.
Since I was the one to escort my mother into the worship service, I took
a seat outside of the sanctuary waiting my time. As I sat there I watched the folks walk by me, a varied
crowd, I tried to guess the station in life of those who passed by. I guessed that the formally attired
folks were business people. Those
dressed in cowboy boots and plaid shirts were rural stock. There were some who by their step and
style seemed collegiate to me. But
from all of the guests, there was one who particularly stood out in my
guessing. I saw him dip as he came
through the doors, and as he walked past me, I found myself having to strain my
neck like a baby robin prepared to receive food from its mother. I might add that my mouth was likewise
gaping fully….not because I was hungry, but because I was in awe.
This young man was awesome!
Huge – not in breadth, but in stature. (I found out later that he is 7 ft. 2 in.) He was sturdy in build. The size of his hands matched his
height, as did the size of his head.
Although I know that not every overly tall person plays basketball, in
this case I didn’t think I would be too far off to guess so for this guy.
Based upon his agility on the dance floor at the reception, I decided
that my guess must be right. As
you might guess, he was rather easy to spot on the floor, rising above the rest
of the crowd which all were far shorter than his shoulders. Apparently he liked to dance, for every
time I gazed toward the dance floor there he would be, dancing away. Shuffling his feet and singing along
with the music. He knew how to do
the Electric Slide, and all the motions to songs like “Jump”. All 7 ft. 2 in. of him. I suppose that there were others on the
dance floor who were there as often he, and knew the dances as well as he….but
when you’re 7 ft. 2 in…..you kind of stand out.
Well, when it comes to standing out on the dance floor, there has been
one who has stood out more than the 7 ft. 2 in. “Fred Astaire” of this
wedding’s weekend...one who has been called “The Lord of the Dance”. And the reason that he stood out wasn’t
that he was 7 ft. 2 in., or that he danced the dances of the world better than
any one else. The reason that he
stood out was that he danced like no one else. Every one else danced with judgment and rules, with grudges
and fear, with heavy hearts and narrow minds….but no “The Lord of the
Dance”. He danced with forgiveness
and mercy, with hope and peace, with grace and new life. So different was his dancing that the
rest of the dancers kicked him off the dance floor.
I don’t know the name of that 7 ft. 2 in dancing guy that stood out this
weekend, but I do know the name of the one who is called “The Lord of the
Dance.” His name is Jesus.
As a follower of Jesus, I can tell you that I’ve been laughed at when
other people watch me dance….foolishly forgiving, caring for the foolish, hoping
amidst the storm, and storming into the world with peace. Regularly I see the stares of the
world, and their jeers, “Where did that guy learn how to dance.” I, and all those who follow Jesus’ lead
kind of stand out, but when Jesus has taken hold of your hand and asked you out
on the dance floor to dance with him, of this I am certain: you will know a
peace unlike any dance you’ve dance before, you will be swept off your feet in
a hope that no other dance has ever lifted you before, and you will be stomp
your feet and clap your hand with such a joy that you have never felt before.
So, when you feel your heart
tugged to go to church this Sunday, the tugging that you will feel is no mild
invitation….it’s the Lord who desires to dance with you….to transform your
life, to break open your heart, and to give you new footwork as you step out
into the world. Yes, you’ll stand
out, but after you get the knack of Jesus’ dance you glad that you did!
Have a great week.
God’s grace and peace, (ggap)
Pastor Jerry Nuernberger
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