The heat was almost overwhelming, the air - still, close, with new and pungent scents drifting across my face -
Clothes stuck to my back and dust made tracks between my toes. Small, brown hands reached for me, tugging at my hair, pressing my skin, not to hurt, but only to explore that which they had never seen.
I hardly noticed all the things which should make for my discomfort because I was here, the place I had dreamt of since I was young - a land foreign, strange, beautiful.
I looked around me at the sea of dark, shinning faces - their ebony skin soft, lovely, warm, and I felt home.
It was here in this distant place, full of vivid, brilliant colors, I found Him... God of All People.
In a small village church with dirt floors - He made Himself real to me.
As voices deep and melodious lifted high with new and naked rhythms, free and unafraid - joy unrestrained, praise, and pure worship rang loud, harmonious with words I did not understand - I realized they were singing to Him, about Him, for Him.
I did not know their song, but He did. For He was their God too. He is the God of all: on earth, in heaven, color, language, country, heritage - He knows His own. He know me... as I am, broken in spirit, humbled.
I found myself overcome with the magnitude of His love for us all and I began to sing... surrendered with them - praise to Him in their language. I knew not what the words meant save one...
Yesu
Yesu
Yesu
Jesus.
The only word that mattered, because it transcended.
The Name that drew us all together - made us family - made this jungle- home.
We're connected, across the vast oceans, immense continents, diverse cultures, irregular languages, various skin colors. We are family... adopted by Him, through Him, because of Him.
I think we forget, in this land of excess, and comfort, where we argue in our churches which is more holy - traditional hymns or praise and worship music, where we feel perhaps we matter more because of our wealth, education, or tradition - that to our God - The God of All People - worshiping Him with dirt between toes and hands beating drums in tribal rhythm, a worship without pretense or restraint is accepted with equal love because...
He is the Messiah of every tribe and nation.
He bled for them as well.
We must remember our brothers and sisters throughout this world... they are not strangers, for we have the same Father - the same Saviour.
I had gone to this place to minister to them...
teach them beneath the trees of His love for them, and of the Life His Word brings.
But there, as voices floated high, I was humbled. I understood. I was the one who had been taught. In this wild and savage land He made them my teacher. He had shown me the breadth of His love, and the Truth of His Kingship. We all belong to Him.
He is our God...
The God of All People.
Yesu
Yesu
Yesu
Jesus.
(photos: visions of Ghana... my heart longs for you - 3/03)
