I hadn't thought to ask Summer if it would be fine if I brought my Chai tea into the Bible Study until we were two steps away from the door. She said it would probably be OK. When I heard her say the word, probably I had a good feeling that this was not the type of community I had expected.
Coming into it with my brand new West Virginian friend on the campus of St. George's University I had anticipated a group of white grad students lounged on some couches discussing their feelings and things like purity and being a Christian in the Grenadian culture. We walked into the classroom-made-pentecostal-sanctuary and immediately I knew that it was, indeed, not what I had expected.
In fact, entering with a Chai in my hand, it was quickly apparent that I was more accustomed to a "coffee shop" style of worship opposed to their pentecostal lean. We saw two standing, seemingly Grenadian ladies who were praying simultaneously out loud. Summer quickly joined in. I hung out in the back until a friendly face named Janice invited me to also join them in front. I stood there awkwardly as nothing but a skeptic. Then, with my head hung and my eyes giving the impression that I was in a time of deep prayer...I thought. Here is what happened:
I think the new fad is this "coffee shop" style of church. If that is true then obviously I do pretty well at fitting in. I like coffee, I like to be laid back and I don't think I am the only skeptic when it comes to outgoing pentecostal habits. It's true that for many "chill" Christians who like to sip on their coffees during worship, it can be an uncomfortable and possibly bothersome experience to sit through an outgoing pentecostal service. We love to be skeptical. Based on my recent spiritually complacent behavior I then wondered if this is what I was missing.
Fighting past my uncomfortable state I started to quietly pray. I prayed, if these Christians have something that I do not understand that then I too would be blessed with that intimate connection or realization that would cause me to burst out in uncontrollable praise to the Father. Right then, it no longer mattered to me where their hearts were but where mine was. Instead of being a skeptic I became an open mind for the Holy Spirit to come and work. If I was, if I am missing out on something I want to be caught up and caught up quickly.
Eventually, we moved into the discussion. My new friend Janice stepped to the front as the leader. In her British accent, she encouraged the small group to form a tight circle. After minutes of hearing her speak I found that she is not only a woman blessed with a beautiful smile but also of great and respectable wisdom and an ability to share it in a clear manner. She talked about the mind as the battlefield for spiritual warfare and about us, therefore, taking every thought captive in order to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). How true it is that the evil one and the heavenly fight over our mind and soul. Like Hebrews 12 Janice related it to running a race.
If the word runner means "one who runs" then, yes, I have been a runner in my time. However, if the word means "one who is trained to run a marathon" then, please, count me out. I hate running. Either way, through my own experience and through what I've heard about trained runners, mind control is essential to the finishing of a race. I've only run in training for soccer but I know, for me, about half way on a run my mind tells my body to give up. My mind tells me that my legs are going to fall off or, even more dramatic, that I'm going to die a horrible death on the side of the road. But at that time if I take my thoughts captive, I will find control for my mind and finish the race with endurance. Likewise, with purity for example, when my mind tells my body to give up and give in, I must then take that impure thought captive under the power of the Word. I must encourage my mind in the Lord and through His Word. "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." -Gal. 6:9
This is only a glimpse of what I got from tonight's meeting. I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to become involved in this community and I look forward to joining them again next week.
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2 comments:
very well put. i love your open mindedness. usually there is something beneficial and stretching one can pull from any situation. i am so glad that you are willing.
knowing you, though, i do have to say i smiled when i read your description of you standing in the midst of something that is so new and different to you.
Thank you mother for you comment. I appreciate it as I appreciate them all. However, I would like to point out that it was not so new and different of an experience for me. I have sat through many charismatic and pentecostal services and gatherings. Even if I had not in the States, I had my fair share in Ghana. The difference being that, now, I changed my mindset to one that does not hinder growth.
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