Do you have a Michal in your heart?

Do you have a Michal in your heart?

Hands were lifted everywhere. I could feel the bass beneath my feet and the melody sung by hundreds who surrounded me. The presence of God was undeniable and the order of service had been set aside so we could simply have more time to praise our King. I heard prayers underneath people’s breaths, sporadic halleluiah’s and many grabbing tissues to wipe unexpected tears.

I saw one man dancing before the Lord. Normally, I wouldn’t thinking dancing would be that appropriate but this was different. It was not for attention but it was heartfelt. He was rejoicing in such a way that it made me wonder what God had done in his life. I wondered what he was celebrating. I was happy for him. Did God just restore his marriage? Did God just delivered his family member from addiction? Did God just gave him a huge financial breakthrough? Whatever it was, I felt the urge to celebrate with him. Many others began to join in with this man’s celebration. It was spontaneous, spirit led and contagious.

I was about to join in, but then I heard a whisper behind me. “I can’t believe him.” A woman whispered to her friend. “My husband is ridiculous. He is the President of his company. I can’t believe he is acting this way. He is an embarrassment.”

I felt sorry for him. Why would his wife demean him like this? He was leading people into the presence of God but had to go home to a wife who would only tear him down. It didn’t seem right.

In case I have fueled your anger, you should know this story didn’t really happen…not in modern day times at least. This is a story that is similar to what it must have looked like in 2 Samuel 6 for King David to worship unashamedly before the Lord and for his wife Michal to disdain his worship.

When I picture myself in a similar setting, Michal infuriates me. Perhaps because we have all seen people like Michal in our lives; The woman who emasculates her husband in public, the negative team member who tears down the leader or the friend that shows only envy in your moment of celebration or promotion.

Often times when we think about worship we imagine the outward action of worship, but true worship starts within our hearts. It starts with an attitude of respect, honor and reverence to God and that attitude of honor begins to carry over to the others in our lives, especially those who are in authority.

David modeled this well. When King Saul came after him with spears he refused to fight back saying, “I will not touch the Lord’s anointed.” He showed Saul honor, even when it was undeserved. David knew how to honor people because he knew first how to honor God.

In contrast, Michal showed disdain for God and disdain for her husband in the moment she saw David worshipping. Those who aren’t submitting to and honoring God fully will have a hard time submitting to and honoring the authority placed in their lives.  David was Michal’s husband and her king, he was the authority God placed in her life and her spiritual covering. Instead of respecting and honoring him as such, she tried to tear him down and demean him. It originated not in that moment, but in Michals’ heart.

Before we aim our spears at the Michal from the Bible, let us make sure there aren’t any Michal’s in our own hearts. Are you honoring God, those above you, and those around you – not just in your actions, but in your heart?

Don’t settle,
Mel Miller