Good dance, bad dance

David danced before the Lord in the procession of the Ark of the Covenant.  It was free, and joyful and certainly not kingly.  But it was worship because above all else, it honored God.

Herodias danced before Herod and a crowd of (probably) inebriated cronies (read that as: drunk, powerful men).  From Herod's reaction, it was beautiful, seductive and in the end, deadly.  As a reward for her performance, Herodias received John the Baptist's head on a platter.  It was gruesome, it was egotistical and prideful and it honored no one.

Good dance, bad dance.

What kind of dance are you dancing?  One that honors God or one that honors the powerful?  Good dance or bad dance?

Be assured I ask this question from the perspective of an awkward and occasionally rhythmically challenged dancer.  But of course, how we look on the dance floor at a wedding is not the point at all.

The point is:  how do you look on the dance floor of life?  Are you dancing a life that honors God?  Do you work at love, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, humility?  

Or are you dancing the dance of the powerful?  Are your choices grounded in self-preservation, protecting what's yours, keeping the needy at bay, giving no thought to the oppressed?

Who is playing the flute for you?  Who is calling the shots?  Who commands your respect?  For whom will you sacrifice?

To whom do you give glory?

Many thanks to Fr. Peter Williams, Grace and Holy Spirit Church, Cortland, NY for this dancing perspective on the lessons for Sunday, July 15th.  This is his sermon in a capsule although it doesn't include an awesome rendition of the Chicken Dance from the congregation.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5sIspLfmXM  for a good version.