We not only tolerate public displays of affection, we applaud them.
But we don’t stop there.

The filthier the better, we say.
We stop at nothing, we welcome everything,
no matter how deviant.
And yet—
When it comes to the greatest Lover,
the purest and most benevolent Lover—
We clam up.
We are paralyzed.
We even scold those who would dare to express themselves:

Contain yourself!
That’s not appropriate!
It’s okay to lift your hands (just not too high… think “princess wave”),
But retain your composure.
People are watching. 

And heaven forbid someone should be moved to emotion
or moved to laughter
or moved to dance.

You are just getting caught up in your emotions, we scold.

That’s right! says the lover,
I am in love!
I am lovesick!
And I cannot contain it.

I’m coming out of the closet.
I’ve been undone by my Jesus and I don’t care who knows it.
I can’t see my critics because I have eyes
only for Him.

So excuse my public displays of affection, but I have no plans to stop.
In fact, I shall become even more undignified than this.