Out Our Way: But I can dance the Round Dance - Mark 12: 39-44

As most of you know, one of the things I loved about pastoring in rural Montana was being allowed to try my hand as a cowboy. I will always be grateful to Charlie for encouraging that fantasy — but I will also be well aware that I was never very good at it. To put it bluntly, I could never set a horse properly because I have what my percussionist son calls “rhythm deficit disorder.” Even after six years riding Doc, I would still lose my balance easily and bounce rather than flow at the gallop. No wonder I got tossed and busted up so often! But I rode anyway. 

Now, one of the joys of the Hi-Line for me is that it is the heart of Indian Country as the locals — including the tribes — call it. For me that means rodeos, “Rez Ball” and powwows. My youngest son taught music on one of the reservations, and, as an accomplished percussionist, he came to enjoy the various drum beats and rhythms used in the dances. He also became friends with some champion dancers and fully appreciated their incredible steps, moves and unfailing sense of the beat. We would both marvel at one of his friend’s national championship moves that had won so many powwow dance competitions across the country — and sometimes seeing what incredible talent he had, I would become depressed. But my son would grin and say, “But there’s still the Round Dance. Even you can dance that one.” And he was right — the most basic and easiest beat to follow of all powwow dances, even I could dance the round dance.

I thought of that as I read the parable of “the Widow’s Mite” today. As you likely know, the “mite” was the least valuable coin possible in Judea. Almost worthless. Like putting a penny in the tip jar when everyone else is putting in folding money. Almost worthless ... but not quite. And, more to the point, it is the giver, not the gift itself, that is honored and cherished in the story. That is the point of the parable.

David danced before the ark (2 Samuel 6:14) and pleased the Lord. There is no mention of how elegant or skillful he was. Indeed his wife was disgusted (2 Samuel 6:16) at the sight — so maybe he was as terrible a dancer as I am. Maybe the best he could offer the Lord was “The Round Dance.” Whatever form it took — no matter how elegant or awful — it pleased the Lord. Like the Widow’s Mite, the Lord did not care about the gift, just the giver.

So here am I, Lord. I can’t keep a beat. I stumble and my moves are clumsy and awkward. Others leap and spin and twirl before You with intricate steps, moves, and rhythms to praise Your Name. So I leave the complex moves, steps and beats to others and stay with the simple, plain beat of the Round Dance. For that is all I have … and behold You are pleased. 

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Brother John