Before I left for the Race, I remember breaking down in church one Sunday because I didn't think that I would have a worship service like that for a year. I didn't think that I would feel the presence of the Lord like that in worship because of language, leading worship or not having that feeling of community due to moving from church to church week after week.
I was wrong. The first week in Puerto Rico taught me that. The beauty of worship in another language is more than I could ever think up. The passion, love and pure adoration for the Lord in other cultures is fascinating, beautiful and convicting. So often in the States, worship turns into something about ourselves. Whether you raise your hands, what you look like doing that or what others are doing around you. Overall there is a reservation that I have observed stems from either not understanding the purpose of worship or making it about ourselves which is probably a combination of both. I have never seen so many people and young people love Jesus in such a sincere and fully surrendered way. My heart hurts for America and the emptiness in worship of so many church bodies. The pure gratefulness that is displayed in the countries and churches we have visited has been extremely evident.
I have had some of the most intimate and dear moments of worship on the Race even when I didn't know all of what we were singing. The Holy Spirit truly guides and ministers to your Spirit despite the language barrier. Sometimes I am able to worship and focus more on the Lord when in Spanish. It isn't about the language. It isn't about being able to pronouce the words or know the song. It is about Jesus! It is not about me. When it is all about Him, despite the language He is getting the glory.
This month in Peru our team had the opportunity to participate in a church service a few hours away from where we lived. It ended up being a Saturday night youth service. Peru has been the least charismatic country we have been at and I noticed some of the same guard and holding back in the church body that I have experienced in the States. I even noticed it in myself. The sermon was given by a pastor from the States who was visiting our hosts. He gave a very powerful message on callings and truly knowing the Lord. After the service he called a few people up and our team as well. We then went throughout the congregation led by the Holy Spirit praying and prophesying over people. It was a beautiful and crazy night! As we were praying for people in English and allowing the Lord to direct our prayers and speak life into these people, revival happened in hearts. So when I thought that I wouldn't be able to worship the Lord "as well" because of the language, I was utterly wrong. It was because it was about me- not about my all powerful, all knowing and gracious God. A God who has placed His Spirit inside of me to discern and guide me. If He can heal the sick and raise the dead, He has no problem being able to reveal Himself to me despite the language. That is what and who I worship. When it has absolutely nothing to do about you and everything to do with God, you worship differently. Is your worship about you or about God?
