HYMN LINES: "I join in the singing for I can't decline."

Hymn: “It’s So Wonderful” – Words & Music by Ralph H. Good Pasteur (1923-1996)

Tune: COBBS

"Care to Dance?"

Some of us (mostly men) will recall the great fear that came along with us when we went to high school dances… okay, “sock hops” for some of us whose parents wouldn’t let us associate with an event that involved the gyrations of social dancing. As long as we were just hopping about in our bobby socks, it seemed more acceptable! Back to that fear thing: The fear was not in ASKING someone to dance with us as much as it was in the possibility – even likelihood – that they would DECLINE.

Along life’s pilgrimage, we have made the choice to decline many offers far beyond a three-and-a-half-minute dance. Most of us have turned down job offers, move-away opportunities – for some, even wedding proposals. Declining is usually a polite refusal, not an act of spiteful spurning.

As someone who loves to sing in church – especially the great hymns – I have always been taken aback by the cross-armed refusal of some (again, mostly men) to participate. Some do this because they’ve been told they don’t sing well, some because it’s not the ‘manly’ thing to do, some because they find the music portion of the service to be a waste of time… for others, it’s just plain old obstinacy! Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God, but children of the heavenly King may – no, “must” - speak their joys abroad as they march upward to Zion.

I remember the first time I ever sang the spirited spiritual “It’s So Wonderful”: it was at Glorieta, New Mexico, in Holcomb Auditorium as William J. Reynolds introduced us to the new Baptist Hymnal 1975. I recall the joy that permeated the room as a predominantly white congregation of over two thousand worshipers was introduced to such a wonderful 20^th Century African-American praise song. Few stood arm-folded! Most swayed, clapped the beat, smiled; not many lifted-hands were spotted because after all, this WAS 1975 and we were Baptists after all!

Imagine (here I go again!) the Lord Christ walking up to you and asking you if you care to sing – if you would like to join in the melodic verbalization of your faith – to participate in praise of the one who invites you. Is there any way on earth you might say, “No thanks. I’d rather just stand here and listen”? I somehow doubt it.

We are made that offer every time we gather as a worshipping community. The next time Jesus approaches you across a crowded room and reaches out his hand and says, “Wanna dance… or sing?” don’t you dare decline! Uncross those arms (even lift them if you are so inclined) and cut loose in vibrant praise. It will make you both feel better.