The Grace Project

Definition of “Rejoice” Exults, rejoices, triumphs, expresses great joy, glories in, is jubilant, feels happiness or joy, walks on air, on cloud nine, jumps for joy, ecstatic, wallows.

To describe the Lord God Almighty as the dancing God who rejoices over us with singing is, for many, a difficult concept to fit within our religious construct.  Yet, He is indeed the Lord of the Dance and it is into that divine rhythmic movement that we have been enjoined.  God is in the rejoicing business which is a delight to all but those predisposed to religion.

Whilst this dance is a delight to Prodigals, it is an outrage to Elder Brothers.  Who can ever forget the portrait of indignation which is the Elder Brother in the story of the Prodigal Son; how the Elder Brother froze in disbelief, turning quickly into fury, as he approached the house and heard the music and dancing [Luke 15:25]?

What great disservice has been done to the Lord and His children by those who have presented Him as the killjoy of the universe?!?!  To so many, it seems that John 15:5 has been mistranslated and should read as “because of You, I can do nothing”.  Far from being a killjoy, our Lord was killed for the joy set before Him [Heb. 12:2] and yet, He is still perceived through the performance-tinted spectacles of the Law as being the “bah-humbugging” Ebenezer Scrooge of the universe with the “church” cast in the role of Bob Cratchit.
 

The Elder Brothers of this world, just like King David’s wife, Michal, have no interpretative grid for reckoning the Father as being the God who will be even more undignified [2 Sam. 6] than the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  It is simply not a concept on their radar.  However, in these days, amidst the dirge of religion, there are those of us who can hear the refrain of perichoresis1the sound of the dancing God.

To describe the Lord God Almighty as the dancing God who rejoices over us with singing is, for many, a difficult concept to fit within our religious construct.  Yet, He is indeed the Lord of the Dance and it is into that divine rhythmic movement that we have been enjoined.  God is in the rejoicing business which is a delight to all but those predisposed to religion.
 

Whilst this dance is a delight to Prodigals, it is an outrage to Elder Brothers.  Who can ever forget the portrait of indignation which is the Elder Brother in the story of the Prodigal Son; how the Elder Brother froze in disbelief, turning quickly into fury, as he approached the house and heard the music and dancing [Luke 15:25]?

What great disservice has been done to the Lord and His children by those who have presented Him as the killjoy of the universe?!?!  To so many, it seems that John 15:5 has been mistranslated and should read as “because of You, I can do nothing”.  Far from being a killjoy, our Lord was killed for the joy set before Him [Heb. 12:2] and yet, He is still perceived through the performance-tinted spectacles of the Law as being the “bah-humbugging” Ebenezer Scrooge of the universe with the “church” cast in the role of Bob Cratchit.

 

The Elder Brothers of this world, just like King David’s wife, Michal, have no interpretative grid for reckoning the Father as being the God who will be even more undignified [2 Sam. 6] than the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  It is simply not a concept on their radar.  However, in these days, amidst the dirge of religion, there are those of us who can hear the refrain of perichoresis1the sound of the dancing God. www.paulanderson-walsh.com/store/product_Book_Safe_and_Sound.php

Q: Would you like to join Him in the dance?  What is stopping you?

1    Baxter Kruger, www.perichoresis.org.  Perichoresis – “Genuine acceptance removes fear and hiding, and creates freedom to known and be known.  In this freedom arises a fellowship and sharing so honest and open and real that the persons involved indwell one another.  There is a union without loss of individual identity.  When one weeps, the other tastes the salt.  It is only in the Triune relationship of Father, Son and Spirit that personal relationship of this order exists, and the early Church used the word ‘perichoresis’ to describe it.  The good news is that Jesus Christ has drawn us within this relationship and its fullness and life are to be played out in each of us and all creation.”

Q: Would you like to join Him in the dance?  What is stopping you?

1    Baxter Kruger, www.perichoresis.org.  Perichoresis – “Genuine acceptance removes fear and hiding, and creates freedom to known and be known.  In this freedom arises a fellowship and sharing so honest and open and real that the persons involved indwell one another.  There is a union without loss of individual identity.  When one weeps, the other tastes the salt.  It is only in the Triune relationship of Father, Son and Spirit that personal relationship of this order exists, and the early Church used the word ‘perichoresis’ to describe it.  The good news is that Jesus Christ has drawn us within this relationship and its fullness and life are to be played out in each of us and all creation.”