I remember as a young boy going on vacation to western North Carolina to visit my great uncle who had a home in the mountains. He had sons my age and we enjoyed hanging out together and messing around the mountain community. Every once in a while, we would go into the nearby town (Franklin, North Carolina) and we would go to the “Musical Mill”. I loved the Musical Mill! They would have live music (bluegrass, country, a little rock) and people would dance. Believe it or not … at one time in my life … this Ohio farm boy could clog dance with the best of the mountain kids! It was a hoot! There was something about the music and being with 200+ other people that got my heart pumping and my feet jumping!
When I became a follower of Christ (age 18) the dancing tapered off. (Bummer!) Except for weddings and special events … I did not do much dancing. I am sure Pam has suggested “ballroom dancing” … but I acted like I did not hear her correctly.
Listen closely to Psalm 30:11-12 (NLT) – “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!”
God does something special in our lives. He does what no skilled musician could do! He turns our mourning into joyful dancing! You heard me … DANCING! Haven’t you been so overwhelmed by God’s goodness that JOY just floods your entire being? The “joy” usually comes out of our mouths … and we sing! Sometimes it reaches our hands … and we clap! Does it ever reach our feet?
Now … (hear me) … I am not advocating that we all start dancing in our worship services! (Pastor Leonard would have me ostracized!) BUT … what I am saying is that the JOY … that the Lord produces in our lives … ought to be evident to others. Don’t you agree? Hopefully, this will help answer the question of why I am so passionate about playing the banjo! His joy is coming out of my fingertips!
