time to dance

Africans leave lots of space and time for dancing.

A church service is NOT complete without tons of dancing. Dancing is fun, and it is freeing. Everyone dances regardless of whether you think you can. All you have to do is shake your hips and move your feet, don't worry about the rhythm. Sometimes I get pulled up to dance, and other times I do it by choice. Two Sunday's ago has been my favorite dancing experience of all. We went to a service that was held for the Alliance churches in Libreville. It was held in a stadium and it was packed. Tim, who is a Pastor always gets special setting, and this time we did too by association. We were on ground level in Pastor setting, and of course, we get pulled up to dance during worship. So imagine this, a stadium full of Gabonese and the 15 whities dancing as if enough attention is given to us already. The crowd erupted when we began to dance. As I was dancing, I looked up and saw a little old lady, probably around 60, grinning ear to ear, moving her feet to match mine. The greatest thing about that is, she isn't just some little old lady, she is my sister, and one day will be dancing together in Heaven before our Father.

Monday night we enjoyed dinner at Mama Christine's house. Mama Christine is a nurse who helps with the Mobile Medical Clinic and she was gracious enough to have us all over for dinner. Of course, the night was not complete without dancing. As we sat in a circle, everyone took turns leading songs from the middle and demonstrating any motions and dance moves. We danced and sang together as joy overflowed from our hearts.

Not only do the Gabonese like to move, but they like to let the Holy Spirit move. Church services can take hours, and they usually do because the Gabonese will never cut the Holy Spirit out. It is easy to see the Spirit moving here and maybe because that is all I notice when I don't see the planning for service or understand the words that are being shared. In Forgotten God, Francis Chan shares two obstacles that keep me/us from connecting with and allowing the Holy Spirit to move.

1. Comfort. Why do I need the Holy Spirit if I can comfortable? I mean, the Holy Spirit is my Comforter, but if I am already comfortable, I don't need to be comforted by Him. It is only when I am uncomfortable, uncertain, and confused that I need and rely on the Spirit.

2. Volume. Sometimes with all the friends I hangout with, family I keep in touch with, homework I stay on top of, texts I send and receive, music I listen too, and TV shows I try to keep up with, my life is VERY loud. When my life is loud, the Holy Spirit is not the first thing I am listening to. Francis Chan says that " Our lack of intimacy is often due to our refusal to unplug and shut off the communication from all others so we can be alone with Him." When we live loud lives and never remove ourselves to quiet places, the Spirit is less likely to be heard.

My life is loud and comfortable.

"When we are at our wits' end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us a answer. But how can He give us an answer when we are still well supplied with all sorts of answers of our own?" -Karl Bush

I want to be at my wits' end while living a quiet and very comfortable life so that the Holy Spirit can move within me as I live a surrendered life of following Him.