The Sunday we were in Ecuador we attended the Verbo Church held in the gym of the Verbo Christian School in Riobamba. I kept asking the significance of the name and finally a little boy brought us a Bible (a different translation than the Spanish Bible we had). “In the beginning was the Verbo, and the Verbo was with God, and the Verbo was God.” I said, “Gracias.” When worship began I could not help but notice the energy and passion put forth by the people. These Christians did not have the material blessings we Americans have, but there was a joy and simplicity in their worship that was moving.
Across the aisle from me stood a mother in the simple garb of her culture. She was short, as are the majority of the people we met. She had distinct Indian features and a pleasant countenance. Her two sons stood next to her. I would guess they were ages 8 and 10. I couldn’t understand most of the words of the songs, but I didn’t need to be fluent in Spanish to recognize genuine worship. With eyes closed and hands open, this lady sang with all her heart. During the second song I noticed she was on her knees, hands still open, and tears streaming down her cheeks. Her sons put tissues in her hands as she sang to her God.
Conviction is a healthy thing, so don’t think this was a negative experience, but as I watched this sister in Christ, a few penetrating questions came to mind. “Why is she crying and my eyes are dry? Why are her hands open while mine are in my pockets? Why is she on her knees while I’m still on my feet?”
“What can be done with an old heart like mine? Soften it up with Oil and Wine. The Oil is You, your Spirit of Love, now wash me anew in the Wine of your Blood.” Keith Green must have felt the same way once as he wrote an honest song: “My eyes are dry, my faith is old, my heart is hard, my prayers are cold… And I know how I ought to be – alive to You and dead to me…” We get in these hardened places sometimes without even realizing it. My wife, Susan, has told me a few reasons that probably contributed to my situation, but in this simple gym in Ecuador, God reminded me what to do. “Humble yourself. Draw close to Me. Admit what you see to be true. Ask Me to touch the deep places of your heart.”
God used a worshipping mother to remind me that the ‘poor in spirit’ are really blessed. He showed me that my needs are just as great as hers and if I open my hands and heart, He’ll give me what is best. He showed me that tears often flow from a grateful heart and I have every reason to be grateful. He reminded me that his love endures forever… to every tribe and every tongue. He deserves all our praise…
“‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:6-10