Huntsville, AL
So today, I am thinking of skipping out on church because let's face it, I haven't slept good in weeks. But before I laid down to sleep last night I thought to myself how much I really wanted to go to church. Low and behold, I receive a text at 7:37 inviting me to go.
I rolled out of bed and left with my floor mate, Natalie Courier, and was on my way to some random church.
When I arrived there, I notice its a church inside of a shopping center type area.
I walk in and find seating for maybe 50 people and a simple set up of drums, a keyboard, and a small platform stage. As soon as I walk in the door I am greeted with hugs from not only my friend Nathan Wiggins, but also all of the other church members. They all gathered together and prayed before the service setting began. But the prayer was more like shouting of praises, something that I am not used to because I am more of a silent prayer and even at my church it is very rare to hear everyone in the prayer group screaming praises at God. I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous and freaked out by it.
Once the prayer was over people greeted each other and I noticed my friend Nathan go outside with a broom and dustpan...I followed him and watched him clean up the parking lot from trash in his church clothes. This amazed me and I couldn't help but want to be apart of it. I joined in and we proceeded to pick up the bulk of the trash. I thought to myself, God, no one is going to notice whether or not this parking lot is clean or not once businesses open again this afternoon, but the fact that someone cared to serve spoke wonders of the works this Church was doing.
Once the service started, the music began with the keyboard and drums. I waited for a song but all I heard for the first few minutes was more screaming of praises to the Lord.
I was so unsure of what to do at this point, should I worship like them, should I keep to myself, should I pray silently like I'm used. I looked around for a minute taking it all in until I looked at a open bible spread across a seat on the row in front o f me...as I started reading this is what it read...no joke
Psalms 95:1
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
I closed my eyes and thought to myself, "wow, God how can you love me when I think my ways of worship are better than everyone else's, when I think my way is the only way. Why would you show me love when these people are not ashamed of praising you."
From that point on in the service, I really put myself aside, eventually words came with the music and I was lost in the moment of praising him.
Obviously there are many more things I experienced while at this church. The sermon itself was directed towards me and was about accepting your weaknesses which something I struggle with on a daily basis and do not rely on God like I should for my happiness.
This Church, it's people, the worship, and the sermon - really showed me that no matter how you worship and what you learn, it's the fact that you are committing to a relationship with Him and using that relationship to better yourself and others.
I am so ashamed of my judgements, but God always knows how to reveal himself to you.
I am so thankful for all the many people God has put in my life. I hope this story blesses your day as much as it did mine.
Love - Jonna
