So how many of us actually know and understand what a powwow is? For most of you, my guess is you can join the club I was in, before last weekend that is.This past weekend, I attended the Annual 4th of July Powwow on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Tipis and tents overflowed the grounds leaving a light filled opening in the center of the activity. As you went closer to the expanse in the center, the amount of color increased as if you were stepping out of a black and white television and into HD. The colors even seemed to get brighter! The activity seemed to reach a level beyond excitement. We took our seat on the bleachers (the ones not already claimed by a myriad of blankets laying out). As we sat down the Grand Entry began to take place. This is all beginning to come together for me. The overwhelming amount of color and excitement begins to flow into the arena from one corner. All those entering begin to dance. They all have identifying numbers pinned to their carefully beaded garments. This is a dance competition! The grand entry was a celebration of culture and the evening. The contests would happen throughout the rest of the day and even up until 430 the next morning (i left at midnight!) Needless to say, I was humbled to be a part of something that seemed so magnificent. To them, it probably is comparable to what most of us know as a county fair or similar. To me, it was so much more.
As the dances went on through the night I could not help but think and imagine the dancing of King David in the Bible. One place in particular was in 2 Samuel 6 when the Ark is brought back to Jerusalem. It says David was dancing and leaping before the Lord and that he was even wearing a priestly garment. The joy of these dances was so prevalent and filled the entire place. There are also many opportunities throughout the powwow for people to honor one another with special dances and through gift-giving. The Cheyenne also "blow the whistle" in honor of people. My friend Lonnie Littlebird (see "...littlebird wisdom...") was telling me about the powwow happening Sunday evening. He told me of a 4 year old boy who's well-known and well-respected grandmother was extremely ill in the hospital. This young boy came up to the grandstand and was allowed to blow the whistle on behalf of his grandmother. Lonnie said the entire powwow (probably 2000-3000 people) immediately jumped to their feet and began to dance, cheer, celebrate and pray. It was as if something just erupted within the place. And so here I go thinking AGAIN!
When is the last time I danced for the Lord? When is the last time I was so overcome with the goodness of God and the desire for someone's healing that I could not resist but to break out in praise? When is the last time any of us were moved so genuinely by the Holy Spirit that we could not help but cheer and praise the one and only creator of all things?!?! I am beginning to wonder why we don't more often give God the eruption of praise that only He deserves. When did we become so timid as to let other people's perceptions or ideas of worship interfere with our praise of Jesus Christ, the lover of our souls. Now don't get me wrong. I realize that we all worship differently and that is OK! I am not speaking of a different worship style. I am speaking of a different "heart style." When is the last time we let the beauty of God's magnificence overwhelm us to tears simply through the cascading light of a stained glass window? When is the last time we led our friends or relatives to the altar to pray over their families or illnesses. When is the last time the power of a ridiculous pipe organ blew us away and reminded us of the power of God? When is the last time the simplicity of a single guitar led us to simple adoration?
I dunno, maybe I over think this stuff. I'm just sayin'.
Lord, overwhelm us. Amen.
I've often time contemplated this same subject. I've been criticized myself because of the excitement gained from sports, or events, and overwhelming silence demonstrated toward my own worship of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI guess in those times I've honestly felt bad, ashamed maybe even, like I haven't put the effort forth to worship God my Father like he deserves, a the same time I think "worship" gets misidentified.
As I reflect on my relationship with God, as I work on that process, the process of sanctification, I realize one thing. My life must be worship. My heart must be worship. From crawling out of bed in the morning, to crawling under the covers at night, my life ought be a life that reflects Jesus Christ, a life of worship. Do I have to exude volume or emotion to show it, or does a life of worship lead to volume by example?
As loud as I am, in being able to express my adoration for Dad, because of my earthly relationship with my father, I tend to become closed. I guess my question is this, when is that last time our lives reflected worship, when is the last time our lives reflected our Father, because isn't that the true "heart" of worship?