As you recall, I have been participating in a beautiful movement ministry, Praise in Motion. These few moments each week have been such a blessing to me and by the size of our class, obviously to others as well.

During this time of movement, mind, body and Spirit are used to connect with God and praise Him through our motion and stillness. Most of the time, it is developing our relationship with God. One on one with Him.

However, this past week, we interacted with other members of the group. I don’t know what it’s called, but we reached out our hands, connected with the next person and moved throughout the room. Hand in hand. Moving from one person to the next, we skipped round and round.

This is what I found to be exciting. We were all laughing. Everyone was smiling. This was a moment when we moved from our own cocoon of worship to corporate worship. And let me tell you, it was fun! It was uplifting! It was inspiring! It was joyful!

I know that corporate worship is filled with all types of music, moods and purposeful elements. But the fun stuff is encouraging. Seeing fellow believers having fun in worship will always put a smile on my face. It brings joy to my soul!

Think about King David from 2 Samuel 6. The Ark of the Covenant was entering the city of David and King David “danced before the Lord with all his might…” (2 Samuel 6:14 – NIV) David was filled with joy and he was expressing his joy through movement. And others saw him!

Another example of joyful worship and movement can be found in Acts 3. Peter and John were heading to the temple to pray. Along the way they met a crippled beggar who asked for some money. Peter said they had no silver or gold to give him, but what they had was even better. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6 – NIV) The lame man did more than walk. He was walking and jumping and praising God! (Acts 3:8) Again, others saw him!

When we allow our minds, bodies and Spirits to worship Jesus, joy will in the midst of our worship. Joy will be seen on our faces. Joy will permeate the space where we are.

Now I can guarantee there will probably be people who are not happy. David’s wife Michal despised him for his leaping and dancing before the Lord. David didn’t back down. He was determined to celebrate before the Lord…regardless of what others thought (2 Samuel 6:21-22). Oh, it is no wonder there are so many worshipful Psalms from King David.

Worship and praise of Jesus can be personal. It can be corporate. But it must be joyful. I pray that you will find a way to bring joy to your worship time. Whether it’s through stillness or movement, I pray that it will be filled with joy.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna