Jeremy L. Berg

“Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose” (Phil 2:1-2).

My teenage years were spent concert-hopping, and participating in that great 90s phenomenon known as “The Mosh Pit.” I’m not talking about jumping up and down at a Third Day or David Crowder concert. That’s not moshing! I’m talking about wild, crazy, loud, chaotic, hot, sweaty, smelly, people-crushing, crowd-surfing madness to hardcore bands like Korn.

While it was definitely fun to a point, most of the memories I have are more disturbing and scary. (Can you find me at age 17 in the photo? Hint: Green bandanna or black arrow.) I remember the loud, pulsing beat with people moving in every direction, crashing into each other, falling down, people getting crushed as everyone attempted to push their way closer to the front. Then certain individuals would momentarily rise to the top of the crowd and “surf” upon the hands of others only to eventually come crashing back down to the ground – wounded and hurt.

When I think about the world we live in, it seems as though a Mosh Pit is a fitting metaphor. People moving in every direction, each to a different rhythm. Everyone pushing their way toward the front, and people getting trampled in the mix. Much like crowd surfing, some of us experience momentary rises to the top only to come crashing down before too long. It’s absolute chaos – and people are constantly getting crushed.

Now, imagine another dance for a moment. Harmony replacing chaos. An irresistible melody replacing the screaming dissonance. Suddenly everyone is moving to the same rhythm, perfectly in stride one another. Beauty reigns. In today’s passage, Paul gives us a glimpse of the Kingdom Dance, or what I have called elsewhere The Father’s Song.

What would a community in step with Christ and moved by the melody and rhythms of the Spirit look like? People would be ENCOURAGING one another in Christ. People would be COMFORTED by God’s love flowing us. We would enjoy real, authentic FELLOWSHIP in the Spirit. Mercy and affection would cover us all.

In a “Mosh Pit” world, a community like that would no doubt seem an irresistible alternative for those broken and tired of the mosh pit madness. People would begin crawling out of the chaos, taking our hand and eager to “learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (Matt 11:28). Now that is the type of Revolutionary community I want to be part of!

How do we get there? Well, it will not be easy and it will certainly take time. Yet Paul makes our goal very clear: to “be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose” (Phil 2:2). In a world that celebrates individual freedom as the highest good, it is hard to embrace the Christian calling to place what’s best for the community of believers (i.e., the Body of Christ) above our own selfish ambitions. Yet, this is our high calling. We are called to become ONE BODY, moving to the sweet melody of the Spirit in perfect step with Jesus. And dancing alone is not nearly as fun!

A Mosh Pit world is looking for another alternative. Let’s show them how to truly dance!

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30).