A DAVID PSALM, AFTER HE WAS CONFRONTED BY NATHAN ABOUT THE AFFAIR WITH BATHSHEBA
PSALM 51: 4-8 The Message
“God – You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I’ve been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you’re after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then, conceive a new, true life. Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to…..
DANCING.”
Game playing. Hiking. Traveling. Going out to Eat. Watching movies. Dancing. These are a few of the things our family enjoys doing together. It really isn’t a surprise. When I look back on my offsprings childhood I realize we raised them on these things. All the things on our FUN list have been a part of their world from conception on – including Dancing. Interestingly – our son – who has a particular interest in Swing dancing was newly forming in the womb when Tom and I took Swing dance lessons. He was born to dance. One of my favorite family pictures is from a wedding when my children were little – on the dance floor. It hangs above my desk and reminds me of the Joy we share when we are together and we are dancing.
This last weekend the wedding of my niece provided an opportunity to enjoy some dance time together. There we were, Tom and I, our three children and my son in law – all in a circle on the dance floor. I took a quick video to document the moment where all worries seem to be forgotten, freedom from opinions gone ( we were one of two families on the dance floor and nobody seemed to care) and Joy was the overriding emotion. Everyone had their own moves and interpretation of the music. When one song ended we eagerly awaited the next in hopes it would be another “foot – tapper” as David refers to good music in the Psalm referenced above.
As I was reading through this Psalm today you can imagine how thrilled I was to see David use the term dancing. He was crying out to the Lord for forgiveness for adultery and murder. Kind of big deal sins. Once confronted with the severity of his actions by his friend Nathan he immediately moves to repentance. He confesses the reality that he has been sinful since birth and that he was deserving of whatever punishment God saw fit. But then he boldly asks for more…. his belief in his all powerful and all loving God leads him to ask for total freedom from his guilt and shame. He wants to walk, actually DANCE in the knowledge that despite his sin he is totally loved, totally forgiven and totally empowered to move forward in that victory.
As I continue my reflection of 2020 and set my sights on 2021 I’m asking for some Nathan wisdom. I’m looking for revelation about actions in my life, heart and mind that I need to lay at the foot of the cross. I want my eyes opened, like David, to the places I may have completely overlooked and missed the severity of my choices. I want to receive all that God has to offer because of the life and death of his Son Jesus. I want the freedom to live boldly, I want to not just limp into to 2021… I want to DANCE.
Even if dancing isn’t your jam. Even if you prefer to enjoy your drink and watch the rest of us parade around the dance floor. Even if…. I’m guessing there may be some things that you’d like to leave behind. I’m guessing there may be some stuff that is weighing you down, that you’d like to slough off, that you’d like to walk with a lighter step and a more peaceful spirit. Maybe this is the day to drop it. Maybe this is the day to open your heart to Jesus- the author, perfecter, redeemer and comforter. He has total freedom waiting for you and this reality may just make you want…….
to dance.
And for this I rejoice.
justbeth:) 