It didn't start on time, the temperature was brutal, and we couldn't understand a single word that was being said or sung. Yet there was a nearly pallitable connection between us and our Indonesian brothers and sisters. You see, the method was strange and unfamiliar, but the focus was one and the same. We had gathered in the middle of an Islam-dominated city to worship the only true God, and no language or cultural barrier could divide us in our purpose.
In the midst of such foreign surroundings, we couldn't help but sense that we were among family. We may have been butchering their language, but they recognized that our hearts were singing the same songs. Eventually, they came to a song that we knew: "Lord, I Give You My Heart." As English and Indonesian was lifted up side by side, I was amazed by the vastness of our God. Our Lord is not an American God. He is not even a Western God. He is not confined to the West, East, North or South. No one culture or people group has a monopoly on Him, for He is the Creator of us all.
There was, howevwer, one important differenct between us and the beautiful worshipers around us. As American's, we face no threat of persecution. At worst, we might endure ridicule or scorn. Our brothers and sisters around the world, however, are not able to benefit from America's freedom. Even here, in a city where persecution is relatively rare, we've heard reports of homes being destroyed, jobs lost, and family members kidnapped. Not far from here, Christians are regularly martyred for their faith. As I looked accross the congregation, I couldn't help but think of the risk they were taking to meet - to worship openly. While not illegal, following "Isa" (Jesus) is not something encouraged or condoned by the community. Needless to say, those that attended the worship service were serious about their faith. There is no "casual Christianity" where persecution exits.
I pray that we, the church in America, might take our faith just as seriously. May our freedom not lead to apathy, but to greater boldness. We have nothing to fear, so let us relentlessly make the name of Jesus known to all those around us. He is, after all, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords - the one true God and the only source of salvation and hope. May the joy that we claim to know spur us to share. May the Word we claim to follow challenge us to witness. And may the God we claim to love empower us to be His witnesses - at home, in our country, and around the world.