The practice of ‘Contrast Community’

July 14 2024

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29

        Some years ago, I came across a phrase in an article on faith practice in America today, and after sharing it with the youth group I found they were fascinated by it, and it became both an ongoing topic of discussion as well as a definition of who they felt called to be. That phrase was used to describe contemporary groups of Christians who were focused on truly seeking to live into the challenges put forth in the gospels. And those non-standard faith groupings were referred to as, ‘Contrast Communities’.

        They were called that, because they stood out from the rest, in terms of both how they lived within the community, as well as how they were perceived by those looking in from the outside. The phrase was quickly adopted by the youth group as a way in which to describe how they felt about themselves, as well as what they believed their role was within the larger community of their friends and relationships. They were proud of the friendships they had within the group, and believed that they were truly making a difference by being ‘visibly and unconditionally caring’ towards one another and to those with whom they shared their experiences.

        And I share that because last week my message dealt with the fact that we, as our own little ‘contrast community’, have been greatly blessed, and therefore, we have an equal responsibility to share our faith in an outward and visible way as well. Last week I shared that in times as chaotic and uncertain as the ones we find ourselves in, our role, or our responsibility as those who believe, is to refuse to be cowed into silence and despair, and instead to speak clearly and loudly directly into the ‘noise’ all around us with a message of grace and love. And to do so, because we have already been fully equipped and prepared by the Spirit to share our story…our story of how such a small group of us has been able to make such an amazing difference within our immediate community…

        So last Sunday I shared that we must be willing to speak out through the witness of our lives both as individuals and as the body gathered. Today, using the example given in our first reading from Second Samuel, I would like to share a bit on how exactly we might begin to go about sharing that story.

Our reading today from 2nd Samuel tells of King David gathering his forces and setting out to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed Edom where he had left it the last time he attempted to bring it back to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. He had tried once before and great tragedy had befallen the effort, however he had heard that Obed Edom had been greatly blessed by the presence of the Ark in his home and decided once again to go and bring it home.

Our scripture does tell us that there was no lack of celebration and making of loud and raucous noise as they left with the Ark and began their journey home. The scripture recounts that there was a stop early on, after going only six steps, whereupon David offered a sacrifice…in addition to which he danced as it says, ‘With all his might, to honor the Lord’.  After that, they completed their journey back without further incident.

Upon arriving in the city, David again set to dancing, celebrating the arrival of this most sacred treasure into the capital of the entire nation. Their arrival, with great celebration and tremendous outbursts of joy and praise at the head of which was the king dancing wildly with the greatest joy, did not go unnoticed.  I am sure that everyone within sight or earshot took note of all the festivities and probably even took occasion to join in, so great was the celebration.

There was one however who took exception to David’s wild and crazy dancing…and that was Michal, the daughter of the former king, King Saul. Hearing the commotion approaching, she looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and jumping around with all he had and took exception to it. I am not sure why, however it is not hard to imagine that the daughter of the deposed king might have had trouble with David in general, but the story tells us that upon seeing David she was ‘disgusted’ with his wild and crazy behavior.

After the Ark was safely placed into the Tabernacle which had been prepared for it, there were more sacrifices and fellowship offerings lifted up, after which David blessed all those who had gathered and sent them to their homes. David returned home as well, whereupon Michal came out to meet him and accosted him saying, ‘The king of Israel made a big name for himself today! He exposed himself like a fool in the sight of the servant women of all his officials!’  David answered, ‘I was dancing to honor the Lord, who chose me…and made me the leader of his people Israel. And I will go on dancing to honor the Lord,and will disgrace myself even more.’

Truly this is a curious story, one filled with human emotion and intrigue. There are two things for me however which stand out from the rest as worthy of note. The first is the behavior of Michal…the one who let jealousy and negativity guide her thoughts and actions…so much so that she was very disrespectful of King David…not exactly the way to win friends and influence those with whom you may disagree. And the second, is the way in which David danced with such wild abandon in order to honor his Lord…something I dare say very few of us have ever done, or in fact perhaps even contemplated.  And it is this second thing I would like to look at for a moment to see if it might yield some insight for our own behavior when it comes to how we need to relate to and for our Lord.

I think the question here hinges on how it is that we appear to others, as well as to the Lord, as we live out our faith. How is it that we can begin to truly resemble a community in contrast, a port in the storm if you may, amidst all the confusion, fear, and noise of the present moment? How is it that we are called to live into and demonstrate the truth of our faith? How is it that we, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can best let that Spirit guide and govern our actions and words such that others might know they also are within the presence of something very different…something that stands in sharp contrast to all that they are used to?

Are we supposed to look like David? Do we ever act out our faith and belief with wild abandon? Do we make enough of an impression on those around us, that they come away knowing that we believe in a Lord and God whom we love, and in whom we trust?  And do they know as well that it is God who calls us to stand apart and to offer hope in the midst of despair, to offer grace in the midst of misunderstanding, and to offer hope in the face of deep fear and worry? Are we really being asked by our faith to dance with wild abandon when we consider sharing our faith with another? On occasion I think we are…The hard part is knowing when to dance outwardly, and when to dance only inwardly, out of respect for the stepping stone upon which another stands.

But when we do dance…when we do step out and proclaim with all we are, in deed as well as in word, that our Lord is worth considering…we need to do so because, like David, we have reached a point in our faith journey where we cannot but be filled with joy that runs like the deepest river, and a peace that knows no end.

        So, where does this joy and this peace that resides deep within us come from? How can we access it and have it be more of a part of our own experience? And conversely, what might those things be that we let get in the way of living out and sharing that joy? What keeps us from ‘dancing? Is it perhaps hardship, embarrassment, depression, or even some degree of unbelief?  Is there perhaps a ‘season’ for wild and public joy which we must hold to and respect, so as not to trample on another’s time of struggle or need for quietness…and is there as well as a season for that deep-running and more private, personal joy that brings a knowing smile when we are all alone with God?I think there is…

And if we can find that joy…and if we have it and then suddenly it seems to disappear or to lose its luster…what then?  What is it that is capable of robbing us of our joy or our inner peace? What is it that can be so distracting to us…and how can we find the desire or the impetus to get up once more and dance…figuratively if not literally?

As I thought about these thoughts during the week I thought of a few examples of things we might focus on, in trying to find, or to hold on to the joy and peace our faith tells us is there for us…ways to place ourselves in a position better to hear and to give expression to the movement of the Spirit when it calls upon us to ‘go out and dance’.

     These few reflections on the source of peace and joy help me to focus, help to guide my responses to life’s daily challenges…they are, in no particular order…

• Love one another…and work at it until you succeed.
• Enjoy the glory of creation…it is there for that purpose…enjoy it and respect it so that all those who follow along behind us might do the same.
• Fully let go and trust that God is seeking to make you and those you love fully safe and secure through grace.
• Do not be afraid to dance together…as well as alone.
• Look for and recognize those times when outward and overflowing joy is called for…and those times when it may not be.
• Start and end each day with a short prayer…stay connected with the source…
• Never let the day end with anger or bitterness in your heart…forgive, let it go, and let your soul find peace.
• Your body is not only a gift, it is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit…do all you can to treat it well and to care for it, do your best to find your own personal measure of wholeness and health.
• Smile more, in fact smile much more
• Do not take life so darn seriously. And, don’t take yourself too seriously either.
• Be happy with less and be quick to share what you have with others.
• Love your family, and hold onto those you love very tightly.
• Create beauty around you…for creating is in your nature.
• Laugh.
• Live in the present, the past is gone and the future never is…live each moment to the absolute fullness it offers you.
• Don’t hold a grudge, with time it just turns to bitterness, losing all meaning and context.
• Be very slow to get angry and very quick to forgive…(just like God is!).
• Be gentle and humble with all whom you meet.
• Do not think too highly, or too lowly of yourself…you are a wondrous gift and creative work of God molded in the very image of love…but you also are not the answer to every question or the solution to every problem.
• And lastly…don’t forget to dance!

If we can find a way to live this way…if we can outwardly and visibly live out our love for our God…then we will be a community that stands in such stark contrast to all that the world would have us fear and worry over…and we will also find, that in giving love, we receive it back in full measure…for in truth everyone is seeking a source of hope and love…

…by grace, let us be a part of that source!

…amen