Metal Chairs, Clocks and ..... Cups of Starbucks

As I visit each of our Master’s Commissions teams strategically scattered throughout the city, a recurring comment that I’m hearing from many students are, “I’ve never been in such a powerful church service before in my life… we worshiped God for over two-hours!” For many, especially our first-year students, this is their initial experience at being swept up in the awesome presence of God.

Wryly, many believers conscious of time and comfort, cringe when missionaries visit and recite the “almost” exaggerated tells of believers walking several miles to church and then staying for hours on end; …“How is that even possible?” some have been heard quietly asking. Our MC students are learning firsthand that some of the missionary accounts of spirit filled revivals are actually true indeed.

In the short time that we’ve been in Brazil, we are experiencing worship services with a people who are hungry, desperate and passionate for God’s presence. These people show up for church early and the first things they forget about are the metal chairs and the clock. It’s as though they get lost in the Presence of God… finding everything they need in “He is!”

It’s an amazing thing how people in third world countries keep it real simple. Obviously they aren’t distracted as we are by the countless “benefits” of affluence and comfort that seemingly keep us pretty occupied with, let’s just say... “self” among other things. Nor will you find anyone walking in the door with a designer's cup of “Latte” from Starbucks.

So, “WHAT IF” we replaced our cushy seats with metal chairs and checked our watches at the doors?

… Hey, its’ just a thought.