"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21 NLT
“Don't brag about tomorrow, since you don't know what the day will bring.” Proverbs 27:1 NLT
I realized this a while back, but I really learned it this week. Jessica downloaded a sermon from her church back in Georgia, and we had the chance to listen to it. I also downloaded one of Pastor Johnny's sermons, and we listened to it as well. (The sermon on God's love from Feb/22. I highly recommend it.) Here's what I learned: I have taken for granted being able to understand a sermon and worshiping in my heart language. (Usually, your first language. I like to think of it as the language you hear and your heart skips a beat if you haven't heard it in a while.) I love going to church at Woodstock because the worship and the message have yet to do anything but drive me closer to my God. I leave that place knowing that the God I serve is all I need.
My charge to you is this: Never take for granted being able to worship God in your heart language. Since I have been over here, I have had to learn to feed myself through listening to worship music on my iPod, reading my Bible multiple times a day, and listening to sermons off of iTunes. That way, I can walk into that German Baptist Church every Sunday morning and appreciate that these people are hearing the truth. Despite the fact that I cannot understand most of what is being said, I can understand that they are worshiping the same God I am in their heart language. It takes the focus off of me and my self-pity. It's not all about me and whether or not I can understand what's going on in church. It's all about the people I see everyday who are going to hell unless I allow God make me usable for His glory.
1 comment:
i can totally relate jennifer. i remember coming back from china and how sweet the sound of english was in sermon and music form. keep it up and hang in there.
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