Ancient Pathways: Celebration

The day had arrived after almost 70 years! The Ark of the Covenant-- built as a symbol of God’s presence and glory -- was finally restored to Jerusalem. This was about 3,000 years ago when David was the King of Israel. It was one of David’s dreams to have the Ark back where it belonged. “And David danced with all his might before the Lord…” 2 Samuel 6:14 Living Bible Then and now, many considered it silly that anyone would dance before God. Perhaps it’s more a matter of the heart. In today’s world, we celebrate with a text and emoji or an online greeting card with fireworks, dancing hearts, and explosions. We send it off and consider it a celebration but it’s not. Richard Foster writes that “the carefree spirit of joyous festivity is absent in contemporary society. Apathy and melancholy dominate the times.” And yet, this ancient pathway of celebration is a hallmark of those who follow Jesus' Way. Celebration, joy, and gratitude are all included in this dance of the heart. And if we have not learned how perhaps it is in this current wilderness where we discover something missing in our walk with Jesus. We begin with gratitude -- being grateful for what we have, not what is missing. We begin with a prayer -- asking God to meet us where we are, not where we want to be. We begin with micro-steps -- coming back, or coming for the first time, to a deep surrender -- to let God be God, and you be you. Celebration, joy, and gratitude are born from rescue, provision, and hope. Gratitude, prayer, and micro-steps are the dance steps. And like any dance, it takes practice. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Pray Thank You for forgiveness, no regrets, fresh starts, and Your Presence God. Thank you for watching over my kids, my spouse, my concerns, the roof over my head, my dog, my job, the food in the fridge, the doctors, those that ring up food in the grocery store. Thank You for the sun, the rain, the snow, the cold. Thank You for the promise of Your return -- where all things end well! And as David prayed in Psalm 51 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Amen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.