Dr. BJ Condrey

Have you ever woken up early, before the sunrise, closed a door, turned on a worship song, and danced before the Lord? I’ll be honest—it feels silly.

Years ago, I used to dance in charismatic churches alongside other worshipers. But then life changed. I earned a PhD, and we joined an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), which leans more high-church than low-church. The worship there is beautiful, but the music is more traditional, and dancing isn’t exactly part of the church culture.

And yet, I think of David, the great king of Israel. He wasn’t afraid to dance wildly before the Lord—and not just in private, but publicly before his people. Scripture tells us in 2 Samuel 6:14–22 that David danced with all his might as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. He didn’t care about appearances; his joy and love for the Lord overwhelmed any sense of decorum.

His wife Michal, however, was appalled. She rebuked him, saying his behavior was undignified for a king. But David’s response was bold and unashamed: “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21–22, NIV). He was free. He loved. He worshiped boldly.

While I’m not suggesting you walk into your local church next week and start dancing if it’s not part of your church’s theology or practice, I am inviting you to embrace a few moments of unsophisticated joy in the presence of the Lord as you begin the new year.

Close the door, read a Psalm prayerfully, turn on your favorite worship song, and glorify the Lord with your entire body. Forget about how it looks or feels. Just let yourself worship freely, like David.

In a word: dance! You might be surprised what begins “falling off” of you in the spirit. Freedom, joy, and renewed love for God might just meet you in those sacred, silly moments.