What does it look like to worship God with all your heart? There are many lessons I am learning in Haiti and one is the art of worship. How does a 4 hour worship service sound in 90 degree weather with 90% humidity? Sounds sweaty right? Yep. My clothes are pretty much soaked after worship services here. If you are smart, like most Haitians, you bring a small towel to keep your face dry.
Worship here is not a matter of just engaging your mind and voice in uplifting praises but a matter of engaging your whole body. Were talking straight up dancing. The first time in a worship service here I was pulled into a dance circle of Haitians, sort of similar to a dance club. Everyone was busting out moves, especially the children. There is something so freeing when we can praise God with not just our soul heart and mind but our body as well.
The thought of seeing my church back home all dancing like it is 1999 is hilarious. Right? Can you imagine? But come on! We need that sort of freedom in the church. We need that passion! Many men might say well that is just not me. “Shouting before the Lord and dancing is not my personality.” But I beg to differ. I have seen many grown, mature, professional men get pretty animated and zealous at sporting events.
The passion is there, in all of us. Why not be fully passionate before a life giving, all sovereign, all powerful, all loving God? On any giving night from the roof of the Base I can hear a worship service going on. And sometimes I am awoken to 4am services. Something is going on here and it is contagious. The freedom of worship is here. Freedom to, shout, sing, clap and busta-move.
Check out the video below of Pastor Jean Claude Belchet, who oversees 7
Haitian churches, tells his story of surviving the earthquake despite
great losses in his family. You will see some Haitian freedom of worship!
