2 Samuel 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might.
Nancy Borden is a sweet lady that works in our Day Care and although she doesn’t attend our church, I have been seeing her around the school for years. Nancy was a missionary to Haiti and has dedicated a good portion of her life to foster kids. As I walked through the gym this week, she stopped me and said, “I really enjoyed that video you made. I have been moving, it’s been stressful and I really needed that. I watched it three times.” She was, of course, referring to the “Happy” song video in which I, myself and many of you danced, or walked rhythmically in my case, and lip synced our way through the Pharrell Williams “Happy” song.
Many people let me know how much they loved the video, but Nancy’s compliment stood out because she said, “I needed that.” I facetiously wrote on Facebook, “I fear that I’ve wasted my life. I have sweated and strived to bring the church profound insights and I have learned that people are far more blessed when I dance and lip sync badly.” Seriously, I don’t regret working and serving people with my gift of preaching and teaching but what about the ministry of celebration. Unfortunately I have not done so well at the ministry of celebration.
Seriously, I think we totally miss it when it comes to ministering to others sometimes, because we tend to only engage when we have profound advice, a material gift or deeply sacrificial service. Ever think that sometimes people just need our joyful presence? Granted there are instances where counsel, money and service are what the doctor orders, but there are many times when those deep and costly ways of service are really one big waste. Have you ever had a time when someone proverbially bent over backward to serve, gave you the prescription for solving your problems but left you ice cold because what you really needed was their joyful presence? I know that’s what I need from a family vacation. Let’s just all go somewhere and be joyful with one another for a week. We’ve been to New York, Paris, Edinburgh, Disney and beyond,but the moments that were most memorable had nothing to do with where we were but how we were.
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15:17 (NIV)
This is undoubtedly what Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.” Oh sure Onesiphorous may have brought food and a change of clothes for the Apostle. He may have brought some reading material but what Paul remarked about was how Onesiphorous was. “He was not ashamed of my chains.” He brought to Paul a joyful presence.
Don’t apologize for digging deep and giving people your best wisdom. Don’t shrink from throwing yourself into a task like moving furniture, cleaning up or taking someone’s kids for the day. Don’t hesitate to write out a check when the Holy Spirit nudges you too. But don’t forget, sometimes, people just need you to dance.
