“And David danced before the Lord with all his might.”

2nd Samuel 6:14

It was a long day, and my team was tired. We had gotten to that point in the summer where the newness of things had long worn off, but we were not yet close enough to the end to lean into a “finish strong” mentality. Things had become predictable—if there was such a thing as camp counselors. Energy was waning, and enthusiasm was manufactured each morning.

I was working in Florida for the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry organization. I was a team leader for a traveling day camp. It was an amazing summer (and not just because I got to be closer to Deanna, who was working her first career job all around Florida—though that didn’t hurt one bit!). As the team leader, I had a number of extra responsibilities. I was the key point person with our host churches; I was in charge of staff assignments each week; and I was the primary driver of the big, beautiful, 15-passenger van.

I’ve always been a morale guy. When the group sentiment is low, I want to build it up. When someone is sad, I work hard to help move through the sadness. If you are discouraged, I want to help you see clearly the gifts you have and the gifts you bring.

So, when our whole team was dragging, I instinctively found a way to build energy and a little more camaraderie.

As the team wrapped up the day, we headed to our church van. I had the keys, and I kept the door locked. We had to do something to break free from the drudgery. So, I unlocked the back door. Only the back door.

The team looked at me like I was crazy. I yelled with all the enthusiasm I could muster—today, we are loading from the rear of the van. Everybody in!

They looked like I was crazy. Laughed. And started to pile in.

In case it’s been a minute since you opened the back of a Ford Econoline 15-passenger van, I’ll share with you—the rear door was not built as the optimal entrance for passengers. You have to climb over the seat, between the headrests. There is no walkway or aisle. It is up and over.

My team, who were fully accurate in their assessment of my craziness, were hesitant at first. But then the laughter started. And it didn’t stop. It kept going and going and going as each team member climbed in and climbed over each other.

I’ve always been a big stickler of the concept—don’t ask others to do what you are not willing to do yourself. But the words of Jesus echoed in my ear too. The first shall be last. So once everyone was in their seats and the laughter was dying down, I jumped in and climbed over the seats and my team all the way to the driver’s seat. It was glorious.

Perhaps my greatest accomplishment as a leader occurred the next afternoon. “Scott, aren’t we going to load from the rear again?” Just like that—a tradition was born.

Later that summer, at our end-of-the-year celebration, we lined 2 church vans next to each other, divided into teams, and had a relay race to load from the rear. And just like the first time, I always climbed up to the driver’s seat after everyone was in place.

I haven’t thought of this story in more than 15 years. And as I’m sitting here writing it, I can’t help but smile and laugh. What a dumb idea. And it was the best thing I did. Foolish and so much fun.

The 6th chapter of 2nd Samuel is an interesting moment in the life of King David’s reign as king. The Ark of the Covenant was a central element to the life of faith of Israel. And it had been captured by the Philistines. David and his army had rescued the Ark and they were in the process of bringing it back to the holy city. There was a failed attempt earlier in chapter 6. But this was the time. This was the moment.

Every fanfare was brought forth. No expense was spared. The central symbol of the Israelite faith was to be brought back to where it belongs.

Have you seen churches when they do big celebrations? So often these celebrations are filled with pomp and circumstance. The significance of the ritual and moment brings an air of haughtiness. Even big celebrations can feel so prim and proper that the event loses its celebratory feel.

This was even more so in this moment.

And it is here, just as the procession is beginning, that David danced before the Lord with all his might.

How does one dance with “all their might?”

Can you imagine the sight? The crowd. The worship. The scripture tells us that, after only 6 steps, animal sacrifices were already made to the Lord. This is an orchestrated and planned-out affair.

I’ve officiated a lot of weddings through the years. Many of them with wedding coordinators that help to make sure everything is done in the right order and at the right time. I can only imagine the parade coordinator that was working diligently to ensure the Ark’s procession was flawless. And done with the right dignity and decorum.

And David danced with everything he had.

I imagine lots of people looked at David with some raised eyebrows. We know of one. The end of chapter 6 includes the judgmental confrontation of Michal, who was displeased with David.

David shows us a joy-filled way of living through this life. He has a confidence in his faith that leads to foolish dancing. How do I know it is foolish? I don’t. But, I’ve never seen someone dancing with everything they’ve got and not made a little bit of a fool of themselves. But, it isn’t foolish at all. It is beautiful. It is unorthodox. It is captivating. It welcomes others into the moment. And it changes the story.

Here’s to the unorthodox moments that bring joy and delight. Here’s to the people who dance as if no one is watching. Here’s to the crazy young leader who makes you get in the van from the back door.

And here’s to living faith out loud, even if it is a little strange. Doing so with confidence, joy, and delight because you are fully engaged in living for the Lord.

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What story from your past celebrates a moment when you “danced like now one was watching?”