Watch this first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9qE-qXI11I
It's amazing how beautiful new things can be. It blows my mind when people step outside of the box of conventionality, because then - and only then - art is created. Then and only then, life is breathed into the nostrils of a dead idea, a boring tradition, an empty praise. Just like this woman, who took a simple ol' guitar and broke every rule in the "How To Play Guitar" book, the saints that make up Chosen Vessel are bringing beauty to dead tradition.
To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it would be different... I grew up Baptist, and "interpretive dance" was only allowed at church in the form of "human videos." So I went into Thursday night's Chosen Vessel performance with an open mind. This can only be as enjoyable as you allow it to be, I told myself. Don't set limits on the Holy Spirit.
After I had found a seat in Alumnae Auditorium, I began to review the night's program. "Directed By: The Holy Spirit" was printed on the front. I chuckled and pointed it out to a friend.
Honestly, there's no way for me to describe what transpired in that room. I had never seen anything like it, and in truth, I was quite uncomfortable at times. Some theology was suggested that I had never dined with. Some methods of praise were expressed that had never escaped my lips. Some stirring in my heart had never given me such butterflies.
No one can deny the beauty of the interpretive dance, mime, and singing performed last Thursday evening. I did deny for a while though, the ability to understand it.
Still, I do not understand all of the symbolism that made up the show. A lot was quite vague - a narrator would have come in handy. But after a very personal, very real encounter with God on Monday night, I must say - I understand what the show was about.
When a cup is faced with more liquid than it can hold, what happens? It overflows. When a person encounters the fullness of God, what can she do but praise? What can she do but look crazy in the eyes of the world? What can she do but look foolish in the eyes of religion? What can she do but praise, praise, praise?
