The definition of worship from google is “the expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.” Worship is such a beautiful gift. It connects you to your Creator. It amazes me watching people worship in another language. All over the world, throughout many different groups of people and languages, are all united under the same God, giving thanks and praise. It really demonstrates the glory of God and how we can all be united.
Last w
eek, my host family took me to a youth conference at their church, and that was truly an amazing experience. This conference happens once a year so they brought in well-known speakers and worshiped for about 3 hours straight. Seeing everyone cry out to God and pour out their hearts in worship gave me chills. They didn’t care what they looked like or how they sang, they gave all they had to God because He was deserving of the praise.
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6
Yesterday we went to a night church service near São Paulo, and I had a similar experience. When we arrived everyone was so hospitable and made us feel at home. People would come greet us with a kiss and say, “God bless you”. When the worship band began to sing, everyone was jumping up and down, dancing, singing and crying out to God. The tambourine and the beat of the drum carried the energy. The amount of passion and zeal is what made the music come alive, and I could feel God’s presence in that place.
When the song, “The Great I Am” came on, the lyrics hit me. They sang
“Aleluia, Santo, Santo, Grande eu seu” “Alléluia, Holy, Holy, The Great I am”
I just closed my eyed and soaked in this moment. Joy and praises filled the room. Raising my hands in worship, I pictured people from every nation coming together singing as one to God. We are all united under a common prayer. No language barrier can separate us, all that matters is that we are worshipping the same all powerful God.
-Bri Torrell
3 Comments
Lisa Torrell · May 21, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Bri, what a blessing you have learned about worshiping God in Brazil! Interesting you mentioned the power of God. We learned about Omnipotence at church yesterday, the infinite power of God. That power is nearer than we could ever think, through our relationship with Jesus. I personally like to access that power worshiping at church, which sets me on a great path for the week. Knowing that God’s power is at work within you has helped me trust Him these past few weeks with you so far away. Alway praying for you! Miss and Love you! Can’t wait to see you soon! 🙂
Rebekah Distaffen · May 21, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Bri, this is beautiful <3 I love how warm and inviting everyone in the church was, and I love how much excitement and awe our group experienced. I am so glad that you were able to feel God's presence so much and that He was able to teach you and show you Him so powerfully. I particularly love the beautiful description you wrote of the awesome visual you had during that song! It is so easy for anyone to get caught in their own worlds and forget that God is God everywhere and is worshiped everywhere. This was incredible to read 🙂
Michael Torrell · May 25, 2018 at 1:49 am
Hi Bri, thanks for sharing your recent experiences. Fortuitous to partake in the annual youth conference with your kind host family. I suppose 3hrs is short duration to our forthcoming eternal worship…I’ll remind you next time BCC service runs long :). Also, glad to hear your adventures to Argentina & the falls went well. Can’t wait to see you and the pics, safe travels home, luv you!