Hokey Pokey Part 3: What It's All About

This is the last of three posts unveiling the meaning behind the enigmatic and highly controversial musical masterpiece known as the Hokey Pokey. The first post discussed how the song mocks the haphazard way many of us approach life by carelessly flinging our limbs into the fray. Our journey continued with the investigation of the repetitive instruction "turn yourself around" as a metaphor representing repentance. Finally we will address the crux of the matter where we hope to discover "what it's all about".

All In?

Counting the cost

Maybe you agree. Whatever you are doing now isn't working for you. You decide to turn around. The next question: "So what is the catch?" What does God want for taking away my sin and giving me life that lasts?

A rich young ruler asked Jesus this same question. He thought he wanted to follow Jesus, so he asked about the requirements. "What must I do?" Jesus told him to sell everything. The rich man walked away. He didn't want to give up his wealth. Jesus wanted the man's heart, and he knew that the man was in love with his stuff. The rich man was willing to give up part of himself. Jesus wanted all of him. That's hard. It doesn't mean we sell all our stuff, but it does mean that we get rid of things, ideas and relationships that we think are more important than God. We need to "put our whole self in."

Many Christians are afraid of this message; Jesus wasn't.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Anyone who says that God wants less than all of you is selling you something. When someone says "all you need to do is . . . " they don't get it.  Most of us don't don't have a practical understanding of Jesus as lord. We know Jesus as savior and friend, but Jesus never asked anyone to cross the line without counting the cost. We so often look at his words (with our own interpretation) and ignore his example.

Look, I'm not saying that you have to "do" something specific to know God, but your heart needs to be in the right place. Our hope is not based on what we do. It's based on what we couldn't do, what Jesus did. He gave his life on a cross, so we could know life. That's what it's all about.

Hokey Pokey Part 2: Turn Yourself Around

Okay, maybe I have some messed up priorities, but I'm a pretty good guy. I mean, look at the ten commandments. I never cheated on my wife!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28

Uh, well, I've never killed anyone!

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:21-22

Fine, but I don't "bear false witness"; I don't even know what that means. Sooo, what does it mean? Lying, really!? Well, I don't lie . . . on a regular basis. How can you . . . what about . . . look, everyone lies a little, don't they?

Repentance

Okay, so I mess up. Now what? How do I get it right? Again, we return to the wisdom of the song. "You turn yourself around." Repentance literally means to turn away. Change direction. Do a 180. "Turn yourself around" as the song instructs. Most of us live life unintentionally. We do what needs to be done with little thought or care. Fix meals. Pay bills. Work. How often do we reflect on the greater purposes that these tasks serve? At what point do we stop throwing our limbs into the stuff of life, turn ourselves around, and take a hard look at meaning?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Isn't it time to stop this crazy dance and turn toward He who is greater than us in order to truly understand "what it's all about"? Yeah, and you thought it was just a stupid roller skating game.

Next Hokey Pokey Part 3: What It's All About

Hokey Pokey Part 1: Shake It All About

Epic

Not Messing Around

The longer I write this blog, the more I realize that I can't always be funny and entertaining.* Sometimes, I need to address the difficult issues of life, namely the Hokey Pokey. While the origins of this song/dance are shrouded in mystery and magic, hence the similarity to the phrase Hocus Pocus, the theological implications are profound. This post is the first in a series designed to "shake it all about."

Compartmentalization
In the beginning, this song and dance mocks our lack of commitment to the important things of this life. We are torn by our many obligations and never give ourselves fully to anything. Days are consumed with work where we often give our best, if not the most, time and energy. It is here we put our head and our right hand in. The evenings and weekends we give to ourselves and family. We give them our heart.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Do you ever notice that most calendars begin on Sunday? This is changing. Think about how we view the week. Where does your week start? Most people will say Monday. While this may seem like an insignificant fact, it represents a radical cultural shift. Years ago, people would begin their week focusing on spiritual truth. It set the tone for their work, family and life. Sunday did not symbolize the end of fun and the beginning of anxiety; Sunday was the end of hollow living and the beginning of life and inspiration. Now it is where we put in our left hand and our left foot. We give God what is left. I give God what is left. Ouch.

Next: Hokey Pokey Part 2: Turn Yourself Around

*Many people are still waiting for me to start being funny and entertaining.