Friday night at Angel’s IceHouse, our local hangout, Pauline Reese performed.  If you don’t know Pauline Reese, you should; she is good Texas country music!  The stage at Angel’s is outside, flanked by picnic tables and lawn chairs.  The garage doors of the bar open up so it makes for a pretty large and fun venue.  As Pauline took the stage, several parents sat their little kids in a neat line on the ground at the foot of the stage.  (While Angel’s is technically a bar, it is also a family friendly, community gathering spot.)

For a couple of songs they sat, statue like, still and quiet as they had no doubt been instructed.  And then they started swaying to the music.  And when the bravest one got up, the rest quickly followed.  At first they were a bit timid as they moved with the music, but after another song, they completely lost themselves.  Without any self-consciousness, they twirled and jumped, shook and danced as the music moved them.  It was precious to watch, these kids completely lost in the music and the moment.  And I realized how much deeper their concert experience had been than mine.  I was a spectator, taking in the good music, but they were fully engaged in it!

When it comes to our prayer time, and even worship for that matter, how often are we only spectators?   Our default is often to line up in a row and sit as a quiet observer.  But when we do, we only get part of the experience.  So I wonder what it would take for us to be more fully present with the Almighty?  What if we added music to our daily prayer routine?  What if we danced before God like our ancestor King David?  Sure I expect we would be timid at first, self conscious, unsure of ourselves.  But what if we let go of our fear of looking silly and just danced, like little kids?  Might we even get lost in the music and the moment with God?

While I don’t expect to see us dancing in the aisles in church anytime soon, I do think we can all benefit from a little risk taking in our rituals that become so routine for us.  When we do, I suspect we will be surprised to find how close God is; waiting to dance with us.

The Long View is Pastor Liz’s mid-week observation of our regular stories, and how they may show the Spirit at work.