Guarding the Galaxy

My favorite Marvel heroes, since you asked, are the Guardians of the Galaxy. I love the transformation of these sad outcasts into a community that loves each other. I love how in the most recent film Peter Quill, the self-professed Star-Lord, must sit in lament with losing the love of his life. Rather than rekindling his love for Gomora, he must account for how his love has often imposed on others for his benefit, rather than giving to others for their growth.

But most of all I love how the Guardians get to that transformation: they dance. In the first Guardians movie, set to a mixtape his mom gave him, Peter outlasts the seemingly more powerful Ronan by singing “Oo child, things are going to get easier.” While Ronan mocks him: “What are you doing?” his friends join him in a dance party to save the world. Roll with it. In the second movie, the crusty but lovable Yondu, Peter’s adopted father dies and fireworks explode in a surprisingly emotional scene as Cat Stevens “I know, I have to go” from Father and Son plays in the background. I’m not crying, you’re crying. And in the Guardians Christmas Special, after Kevin Bacon is kidnapped (don’t ask) to shake Peter out of his depression, they end by dancing together without really resolving any of those troubles.

In an increasing post-church time, we can be tempted to think worship is antiquated, irrelevant, foolish even. The Guardians story puts that too bed. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to dance, to cling to each other in joy, to neither ignore the world nor try to save it alone. Thankfully, God gives us an opportunity to dance every week. We get to worship. Can’t wait.

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre.

Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the string and pipe.

Praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150