Today I worshipped…

Posted by Pastor Brown on May 19, 2009

** The following was written on a Sunday of one of my recent vacation days when I was out of town and visited a church other than Praise.
_______________________________________

Today I worshipped at a church that started about 15 minutes late. As I entered about one minute before the announced service time of 10am, everybody was mingling and talking freely with one another. There didn’t seem to be any need to stick with any sort of schedule and nobody was worried about time. About quarter after ten the pastor went to the microphone and the people gathered around. Many came and went freely during worship. There was, however, a large core of people that stayed for the entire time.

Today I worshipped where many came just for the food being served. No doubt they heard a good message while they were there and met some great people. Most stayed for the service, but a few left after they got what they had came for.

Today I worshipped in a place where a man was yelling in church. He wasn’t the pastor, he was just some guy in the congregation. Every so often when the pastor would announce some great work of Christ, this man (and even many others) would shout “amen” and “hallelujah.” It didn’t appear as if they were looking to draw attention to themselves. They merely wanted to add their praise to the King of Kings.

Today I worshipped in a dirty place. There was trash all around and yet it didn’t seem to bother anybody.

Today I worshipped beside people of all sorts of backgrounds and walks of life. White faces were definitely in the minority. Most faces were dark skinned, but not all the same shade and type. And yet there didn’t seem to be any focus on diversity. Instead, we were gathered in unity.

Today I worshipped in a church where people brought their pets with them. Some dogs were lying quietly beside their masters and others were playing and being petted by others.

Today I worshipped in a place where the youth were walking around right in the middle of the service. They were delivering bread and juice to those who were there to hear the message.

Today I worshipped with a church which had a foul aroma in the air. The pungent body odor being omitted by some was mixed with a waft of urine that urged me to close my eyes and concentrate on better things.

Today I worshipped where I witnessed a man shaving right in the middle of the worship service. He didn’t seem to be distracted. He was listening intently. He was merely multi-tasking and doing his best to make himself presentable before the Lord.

Today I worshipped in a church where people were smoking cigarettes. Some churches burn incense and light candles. This church had no candles, but there was fire and the smell of smoke made its way across my face.

Today I worshipped in an outdoor church where there were folks bowing their faces to the dirty stained ground. Yet, people were still lying prostrate and humbling themselves before their Maker. It didn’t seem to matter that the asphalt was clearly a place where many had urinated and upheaved whatever it was that was in their bellies from the night before. Those bowing down knew that their sins had caused them to be lower than even the dirt. This was a complete display of humility.

Today I worshipped at a church that had a pastor and worship leaders that had to raise their voices in order to compete with the sound of traffic. Sirens of police cars rushed by the congregation and the noise of large semi-trucks broke in and nearly stole the attention of those who were offering themselves before the throne of the Almighty.

Today I worshipped under a bridge. The “Church under the bridge” ministries is an committed group of Christ’s servants that unload band equipment, tables, and chairs out of a small bus every Sunday morning in Austin, Texas where the homeless are plentiful. Instead of focusing on planting and rooting themselves in a fixed building, they go out and meet the people where they are at… even under a bridge. The bridge is your typical overpass large concrete structure that supports a major highway overhead. So many passing above never know the true beauty that takes place every Sunday morning below. Praise God that our Lord has not forgotten His people under the bridge. He came to be with them under that bridge. Jesus Christ came for the very purpose to lift His people out of low places and lift them to a place of honor and provide a great banquet feast that will last for all eternity.

Today I worshipped in a church where God transformed the lives of those who previously had no hope.

Today I worshipped and tears came to my eyes.

Today I worshipped with a church where the name of Jesus Christ was honored and lifted high.

Today I worshipped under a bridge, tomorrow I shall dine in a palace – and I shall be accompanied now by many new friends.