The wind was picking up, fresh and cool and carrying the scent of the rain. The faraway thunder announced the coming of the thunderstorm. Jake, Abbie and I were sitting under the tree when the first droplets came, heavy and refreshing. We quickly moved under the hall awning and just minutes after, the beautiful display began. The rain poured down in torrential sheets onto the tin roof, amplifying the sound of each raindrop as thunder ripped across the sky. The lightning lit up the beautiful Zambian countryside in powerful flashes.
We were at the Operation Mobilization (OM) base in the small Zambian town of Kabwe and in the middle of the thunderstorm the staff and students were having a worship night. The three of us huddled near the door, soaking in the mighty storm. Parents were trying to make a run for it, zipping children into their jackets. Students were playing outside and enjoying the much needed rain.
Despite the captivating storm, my eyes and heart were turned toward the worship happening in the building. In true African fashion, there was dancing and drumming and singing so we lingered by the door appreciating their spirit to worship the Lord with all their might. Out of nowhere, a huge bolt of lightning struck and we were all left in complete darkness with just the defeaning sound of the rain and thunder.
The OM staff and students were completely undeterred. No lights? No problem! A few people used the light on their phones but continued to worship and sing and dance – louder and harder. A woman invited us into the dance circle and I was right at home – djembe drums, ululating and worshipping God through dance. I felt so much freedom and joy in that moment, right at home in the Father’s presence.
My heart was also convicted, will we choose to worship louder and harder when everything around us goes dark? Will we say no lights, no problem? Will we worship our Father with all our might, like no one is watching? They didn’t need fancy lights or fancy music or instruments to create a certain mood. They knew that believers create the atmosphere, we usher in the presence of the most high King by worshipping. He is worthy of all our adoration and inhabits the praises of His people.
I cannot tell you how much it does my heart good to be back in the motherland. Mama Africa is just as beautiful as I left her. It does my heart good to know that whether I’m at a Hillsong worship concert or in the middle of the village – He is still the same. His presence is still the same. It’s the sweet dwelling place that I want to spend all of my days resting in. It’s not something we have to conjure up, it flows freely out of the Father’s heart.
I want my heavenly Father to know that He is loved and adored by me, that my heart is overjoyed by Him, that He is all I need. Not because He needs my affirmation, but because in His perfect design He created us to worship Him so we would draw into closer relationship. And oh how sweet it is to be loved by Him.
