BACK TO REALITY
Scripture: As the
ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out
of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she
despised him in her heart.--2 Samuel 6:16
The ark of the Lord has arrived safely in its tabernacle and
David and the children of Israel are worshiping with all of their might. Indeed this is a joyful occasion for David
and for the people of God. All eyes are
on David as he praises God and surrenders himself.
As Israel stands in awe
and appreciation of God, they also stand in awe and appreciation of their
king. David possesses a magnetic public
persona; however, the reality is that he did not possess the same
appeal at home. At the same moment in
which the entire nation bestowed honor and maybe even a kind of reverence
towards David, his wife despised him in her heart.
Personally, I am grateful to the biblical
writers for preserving this episode in David's history. In one of the most climatic, jubilant moments
in David's life, his public display did not match his domestic reality. Things were going really well for David;
however, his life was not perfect. As a
matter of fact, he was not perfect and his spouse was in a very painful state. This exposé of David and Michal's
vulnerabilities, affirms the reality of my own brokenness, it also affirms our brokenness as humanity.
The editors and most of the readers of
this text succumb to the interpretation that Michal
got it all wrong by feeling the way she did about her husband in this highest moment. However, for the sake of today's reflection, I would
like to invite us to resist the temptation to take sides. The reality is we
all have experienced loss as a result of a loved one's inability to understand and
appreciate who we are and therefore appreciate our accomplishments. On the flip side, maybe we have also experienced
loss as a result of neglect by loved ones whom have allowed themselves to be
consumed by their latest acclaim.
The reality is our
journey with God coupled with our "dance" with one another is like
walking the tight rope in stiletto heels while juggling. It is certainly one of the most exhilarating
experiences of a lifetime, yet at the same time, it is risky business--even for
the best of us.
Prayer: Lord, as we worship you with an attitude of surrender, we offer the complexities of our
relationships to you.
Teach us how to love one another. Also, teach us how to affirm one another as we strive to live into our
Divine purpose, especially in those moments when we don't completely understand. Amen.
The Reverend Tiffney Marley
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