07 Sep The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a D.C. Drum Circle

A few weeks ago our family met some friends at Malcolm X Park in downtown D.C to participate in the Sunday afternoon drum circle. For over forty years, drummers and dancers have been meeting in this space and making new rhythms come alive together.

I love the way that Washington Parks and People describe this group: “What started as a small group of African American drummers and dancers has evolved into a multicultural mix of tight-rope walkers, hula-hoopers, yogis, and jugglers. Many say the drum circle gives them a spiritual and social lift that’s hard to find anywhere else in Washington.”

My husband, who learned to play the djembe from master drummers in Ghana, comes alive in this circle as he creates new rhythms and music with fellow percussionists. When there are at least a few other dancers present, I love to join in their impromptu dance to the rhythms of the drums.

And now all four of our children can be participants in the circle, too. We bring our bag of varied percussion instruments (shakers and smaller drums, symbols and cowbells) and they each choose one to play.

I looked on as my three year old (who loves music) fixated his attention on an elderly African-American man who was hitting two iron tent pegs together in a clanging noise that was beautiful to my son. They smiled at each other and were instant friends. From that point on, my son took his seat beside his new friend, playing his own drum in rhythm with the clang of the tent pegs.

A Heavenly Picture

Later that afternoon, I wrote the following reflection in my journal: “I sensed your presence at the drum circle in the midst of beautiful diversity of culture and music combined.”

All brought their instruments. All played and contributed to the bigger song and joined in the dance. From two iron tent pegs being hit together to a man hitting pipes to another tapping a water bottle with a stick, every contribution was a welcome addition to the song.

All are welcome in the drum circle. Babies are welcome. The elderly are welcome. All nations and cultures are welcome. No one seemed to have the goal of being the star of the show; all simply wanted to join in on the song.

I think that worship in heaven may look a lot more like the Malcolm X Park drum circle than like a large group of homogeneous, nicely dressed middle class people seated neatly in pews.

Now don’t get me wrong here. This wasn’t a Christian worship service by any means. I’m sure there were a variety of religious and non-religious people represented.

But I saw some qualities in this group of people that I wish I saw more in the church today and I know I’ll see in Heaven:

They were participants – not observers

They brought the talent they had to contribute

They received the gifts of others

They rejoiced in their creative work – one man is known for yelling spontaneously “Give it all you’ve got!”

They came not to be the star, but to be a servant of the corporate song.

They were unashamed to be free and joyful in their creative expressions in a public place.

Where do we see God at work today? Where do we sense His presence? If it is only through people who look and talk like us and in places that are entirely comfortable to us, we may need to re-think what version of Christianity we have embraced.

I’m so grateful for the Malcolm X drum circle. There are fingerprints of the work of the Creator all over this place and these people. And if Jesus were to come to America today, I wouldn’t be surprised to find him dancing and playing a djembe there with great joy – Yes, even on the Sabbath.