Beautiful Worship

One woman’s voice rises above the others.  She sings with all of her heart and often kneels to give praise to God.  Another is nearly coming out of her skin to dance and jump before the Lord in worship.  One gentleman on the end of the row turns slightly to the wall and simply stands with his head bowed in reverence.  Others raise their hands or sway as they join in the beautiful songs.  Several play instruments as their part in helping us enter the throne room of our God.  The Word is read and an application is presented.  Prayers of thanksgiving as well as supplication are put at the feet of the cross.  Money is given to further the work of the kingdom.  Many worship the Lord through acts of service by teaching the children, cleaning, cooking or welcoming all who enter. 

Worship—it comes in many forms.  It looks different in every country, church and person.  Yet when one’s heart is sincere, God is glorified.  May we all become beautiful worshippers.

1 Chronicles 16:27-34

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Tremble before him, all the earth!  The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
 

Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
 

Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Dancing Missionaries??

One of the perks of being a missionary is that we get to experience a culture different from our home culture.  Yesterday, in school, we celebrated Costa Rica’s Independence Day.  Our teachers explained the history behind the day with pictures and music, including the national anthem.  The little MKs (missionary kids) played a part in the program with their teacher and we witnessed a flag processional.  The staff graciously served arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and we even got to be a part of a traditional Costa Rican dance.

As part of the event, Daniel and I were chosen along with another couple, to demonstrate the dance for the students.  It was fun to wear the beautiful clothing and flip the gigantic skirt around during the dance.  The skirt actually weighs about 10 pounds and has multiple layers and ruffles, all in different colors, so I could pull the sides of it up to my ears without anyone seeing anything inappropriate.  In fact, the skirt is made so that the wearer can flip and spin it as a part of the visual beauty of the dances in Costa Rica.

Our dance included a broom and the idea was that during a part of the dance, the couples paired off to dance together and the one remaining single person was to pick up the broom and dance with it in the middle.  It was a game and a dance combined together.  We also got to select “volunteers” from the audience to teach them the dance.

Learning the history and culture of a people group is essential in order to minister to them effectively.  While it is interesting and enjoyable to learn about the food, holidays, dances, etc., it is also vitally important because it is WHO the people are.  Paul explained that he became what others needed him to be, so that by all possible means some might be saved.  (I Corinthians 9:22)  He did not change the Truth of the Gospel, but he made it culturally relevant to the people.  Learning the customs of the people here in Costa Rica and also in Mexico will help Daniel and I proclaim the message of Jesus in a culturally relevant way.  

It’s also really fun!!

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.”   

Isaiah 12:4