I noticed something this morning about Ethan while we were eating breakfast. He was barely awake in that near-crabby, slightly whiny phase kids go through first thing in the morning. And as he started eating his fruit and cereal, and I started watching a worship leading video podcast on my computer.
Instantly, a huge smile flashed across his face and he started bobbing his head to the music in an awkward, pseudo-headbanging, dancing motion.
Since he’s a sixteen month old pre-toddler, it was pretty cute. Not to mention a little predictable, because anytime he hears any “music” (which in the past has included noise-making toys, the neighbor’s car alarm, a song on the radio, or any other rhythmic sound), he breaks into baby-interpretive-dance mode.
It made me think about how I respond to music – and especially – how the church responds on Sunday mornings when I’m playing music and leading worship. I didn’t teach him how to respond to the songs. I didn’t show him how to move his head or raise his hands or spin around in circles when a song is playing.
The question is: who taught me not to?
If the saints in heaven are lying prostrate before God, and the heavenly hosts are shouting “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty!” again and again for all eternity, is it too much to suggest that we jump and shout and dance and laugh and weep and clap while we sing praises to God here on earth?
