Lifting our Arms to God - April 19
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15; Dan.4:19-27; 1 John 3:19-4:6; Luke 4:14-30
At the church where I grew up, we were quite good at the game of Episcopal Aerobics. Kneeling was second nature to most and we knelt more than we sat. Standing wasn’t as popular of an action, except during Easter. I was grateful for the movement. As a young kid, it kept me from falling asleep, or maybe becoming too bored.
When I was in high school, I noticed that two people, James and Patty, would stand during the Eucharistic prayer. For several years, they were the only ones, and I am pretty sure, they ruffled a few feathers. Although, that was nothing when Doris showed up. She not only stood, but she arched her back and lifted her arms to the sky, rocking and swaying to her heart’s delight. Doris loved praising Jesus during church, and actually said his name, which is enough to drive most good Episcopalians to complain to the Rector. Oh, she would lift those arms far and wide, and you couldn’t help but pay more attention to her than the priest or choir.
One youth group or Confirmation retreat, we were discussing prayer, the different postures to have, and how to be a good Episcopalian. Someone brought up just how uncomfortable Doris made them feel with her swaying, standing, and amen shouting faithful self. I think all of us at that moment were in agreement with just how radical her position was. Someone might have suggested she go and worship somewhere else, where her behavior is more appropriate.
And then, like every good church retreat, we were all hit with a ton of bricks. “Have you ever seen a child run lovingly to their parents? They always approach with their arms wide open, looking up!” Sound advice from the Associate priest. And we all realized how much we had truly missed the boat.
I love how the author of 1 John understands something about children. He refers to the community of beloved as little children. In Matthew (not read for today), Jesus tells the disciples, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
My theological beliefs are pretty simple: God is Love and we are to embody that love with every human being we meet. If God and faith is really that simple, maybe children have something to offer us. They embody love, they run to people they love with open arms, and they trust in the power of that love with every fiber of their being.
How can we not only have faith like a child but embody love like a child too? With open arms, faced up standing up and swaying to the one who beckons us to his love? I’m not really sure her worship style is for me, but I do think we all have a lot more to learn from the Doris’s in our lives than those who knew her realized.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What is your posture in worship? Does it change? Why? Have you worshiped in ways that made you uncomfortable?
Daily Challenge: If you are the praying type, I invite you to try lifting your arms up to pray today, even if it is in the privacy of your own home. Have fun. Be silly. And if you are really bold, don’t shut the blinds.