This is an illustration I cut from the sermon, but thought it would be worth sharing. The sermon was about how joy inspires us to endure when times are hard. Normally, I listen to music while writing the sermon. Normally, I listen to playlists, but sometimes I’ll let the algorithm pick. A ways into the mix, a catchy song started playing and I went to look what it was called. “Coffin Dance.” Strange name, time to start Googling; you never know where something good is hiding.
The song is actually called “Astronomia”. It’s become known on the internet as “Coffin Dance” because it was played in the background of videos of a group informally called the Dancing Pallbearers, a group from Ghana. They carry people’s coffins and dance while doing so. Their founder wanted to offer people joy during their sadness.
I have no plans to add dancing pallbearers to funerals I officiate, but I think we can all take a lesson from them. Wherever we face despair, Jesus is with us in our grief, but that is not the end of the story. There is joy waiting. When Jesus rose, I am sure, at some point, he had to have danced with joy.
Blessings,
Pastor Luke