Church. Called again to new life.

Church was this morning. The things that hit me this morning are beyond what I have felt for a long time, possibly since the first time being in South Africa.

This cannot be it. My life must be more than I have allowed it to be. Church was already a huge awakening. Even though the flame may be small now, it can and it must light the entire room. I need to live this more boldly, God how does that look?

It was good to be here for Church, just seeing the people that I had gotten to know and getting to worship with them again. The whole service was wonderful. We got in at 8:45 after practicing a song to sing in church. My team opted for me to lead Blessed is the Name of the Lord. When we went in, women were already worshiping; there were few but their heart was so strong. We finally began service and many more people poured in from all of Haniville.

There was so much time spent singing, then the Word was opened, then more song, and then dance. Then two women shared their testimonies of God’s power in their life. Then we sang more and then shared our own song. Of course the people were much quieter during our song but they still enjoyed it.

Then the FoxFires came up and performed many dances. They performed the Lifehouse—Everything skit and I can’t begin to say the emotions that welled up within me. My heart is always so encouraged by that skit; just being reminded of all the battles that Christ has fought for me and He has won them all!!!

A 24 year old woman from FoxFires shared her personal testimony and encouraged me beyond belief. She had been born into a married home but her parents divorced when she was 5. She lived with her mother until her dad got custody. Her father got remarried and everything changed. She was no longer getting the love from him that she needed and desired. She began seeking love from relationships with men and became very rebellious. Then she was raped. She moved in with her mother and sisters to get away from everything and began going to church with her mother. She accepted Christ but, when she moved back with her father, she lost the discipleship that she needed. She was raped again and decided that she needed to change her life. She moved back in with her mother so she could be nearer to church and soon after that, both her mother and sister got very sick. She had to take care of them but both eventually passed away on the same day. Yet somehow she is still praising God. While she has lost so much, she has God. In living a life where all has been taken and she still chose to praise God, how can this be?

How can there be so much faith to press on and endure even the most trying of circumstances? It is in this that I am reminded of the peace that He alone can give, the comfort that He alone can give, the joy. How can we continue to sing “Bless the Lord, oh my soul” when our hearts are weary? We cannot do it alone, He gives us the strength to stand and sing, “bless the Lord, oh my soul.”

We are not alone; He is good, He is enough, we are not alone.