The first night we got here we were told that we could go to the church for a youth service. Half of our team had not arrived yet and Robyn was feeling sick, so Noah, Cathy and I ventured over to the church for the service. We were happy to find the church was air-conditioned, which was such a relief from the heat (100+ here!). We came in and sat down at the back and didn’t know what to expect. The youth service does not have translators like the Sunday services, so we did not know what was being said for a while. A girl and boy lead the group into several fun games which had everyone laughing! One of the guys from the band saw us and came out to translate for us while he wasn’t playing…that happens a lot, if they know you don’t understand they will come and volunteer to help, gladly. All of the members of the band, the sound board crew, the welcoming crew, and those leading were youth. I was surprised at the leadership and the way they stepped up to God’s call at such young ages. When the band started playing (Full band – electric guitar, bass, drums, piano and singer) the lights went down and everyone went forward. A mini rock concert broke out with a light show and a fog machine, everyone was jumping around praising Jesus. Then the songs slowed and they began to really worship. As songs played, the youth would forms groups and pray together, some just raised their hands, and others knelt with their heads to the ground. The thing that struck me as most significant was that in Cambodian culture the head is the most exalted part of the body. Feet are gross to them and it can be offensive to show them the bottom of your feet. On the other hand, the head is very important, being the highest and furthest away from the ground. Cambodians can be offended if you pass things over their head or touch the top of their head. In worship, it hit me that they are truly humbling themselves before God when they put their head on the ground before God! The significance is lost on most Americans, but Cambodians know what it means to revere God and humble themselves before Him. It makes me think about what I see as important, the things that I can lay before God to show my humility. The more I have thought about it the more I think that Cambodians have it right. Though Americans do not have the same significance for the head, the position of prostrating yourself before God is very humbling. In my home church raising your hands is only done by a few, let alone kneeling or laying in reverance and humility before God. My churches culture is one that does not pull us out of our comfort zone to praise God. God is calling me to more. More of His presence, more of Him alone. That means their will be times that I will have to get out of my comfort zone and worship Him in a counter cultural way. For me that means kneeling before God when the body is gathered to worship. That might also mean just standing and walking with my hands raised or going to someone that God has prompted me to pray for. It seems kind of silly that I am having this revelation because when my squad gathers for worship, I have no problem with the things I’ve mentioned. They have become my family and church body and I am comfortable doing different types of worship styles with them. It’s a normal worship setting to worship however the Lord is leading. But then when I’m with people I don’t know it gets harder for me. Pray for me cause I’m still learning! How about you? Are you worshipping God in a comfortable way or are you counter-cultural in the way you worship, giving Him all you have? Do you just sing the songs, pray the prayers and daydream the service away without giving God a second thought? I pray that you will not do those things out of habit, because those who stand around you are doing it that way! Risk looking like a fool for God’s glory; to worship him fully! To the glory, praise and honor of God alone!
