“When God Dances!”
What makes God dance? Dependence! For a month a friend and I committed to study and through Luke 10. This is an amazing text that is foundational for the mission of God’s church, yet, often neglected. The first half of Luke 10 is about Jesus sending out 72 of His followers on a short- term mission trip. He gives them a set of instructions, which they follow and the glory of Heaven comes to earth through these disciples who are overcome with joy at what they experienced.
As Jesus takes time to debrief with them He too is overwhelmed by what had happened and responds in a prayer of praise to His Father:
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children, Yes Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (vs. 21)
The Greek word for “joy” in vs. 21 means to be exceedingly glad, over come with such joy that one breaks out jumping and dancing. This is the only place in scripture where we see Jesus “full of joy.” I’m sure there were time when Jesus laughed and experienced joy but I believe this text highlights for us what brings God the most joy, a joy that makes Him leap and dance. And as the text points out it is when the Father reveals His glory to “little children.” The word “little” means infants who live in total dependence on their parents.
I have been learning through this text and especially the last two years that the Father has been calling me to live as an infant resting on His chest in full dependence for everything in my life. When I lean into this truth I find the greatest of all joys in my Father’s love and provision for all my needs and I know this makes Him dance with exuberant joy over this trust.
My friend and I hiked up to a waterfall last week and pondered Luke 10 and the lessons that the Holy Spirit has been teaching us through it. We both agreed we are most full of God’s joy when we realize we are powerless and totally dependent on Him for everything. This is when we begin to experience Jesus‘ dance of joy over us and the fullness of His love flowing down in and through us like a mighty waterfall of His amazing grace.
I tell you the truth unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3).
This makes me want to dance! The joy that comes from The Lord is so overwhelming and powerful that it leads to a desire to abandon all to Him. Dependence, yes absolutely. Also this mistaken sense of appropriateness we sometimes have. I do believe there are times for somber reflection and repentance but we need to remember that we have been forgiven. We are covered by the blood of Jesus and that alone should bring us enough joy to last our lives here on earth and yet He has given us so much more. The beauty of His creation, the earth and all that lives on it and around it. Rejoice, sing and dance with abandonment. Who cares what others think? All that matters is what HE thinks…..
Keep Dancing Michele for HIs glory!