Music blaring so loud that the rhythm seems to beat in tune with the pumping of your blood. Your entire body bouncing now as you weave through to the middle of the crowd. Multi-colored lights flash from the speakers set in every corner. Smoke clings to your clothing and lungs as you find a space near your friends. Prompted by the start of a new song they raise their voices. Once again singing the words of the song at the top of their lungs. Most of them are off tune and pitch. In the mere seconds between songs your other senses begin to stabilize. Besides the strong odor of the many bodies perspiring from their dance, a new foul smell begins to fill the air. It wafts from the back up to the front of the crowd. Though the stench is strong it doesn't deter the people from their dancing. Instead they seem to jump higher, Body swaying to the music, Fists pumping the air. Some individuals have grown weary and slipped to the side. Eyes drooping, speeched slurred, as their strength quickly fades with the action of the night.
What are you picturing here in your mind? Could this be describing a scene from your past, or perhaps present life? I'm certain this is a scene few have witnessed. It's not a bar, club, or concert. This is, "The UPC of Vanuatu". Now to fill in the missing pieces. The service is set-up in a "Custom Village". The only hint of Western civilization is the 70 year old slab that serves as our floor and altar, and the three-foot speakers that were rented from the lone casino on the island. Mango, papaya, banana, and other various island trees serve as our church walls. If someone were to complain about the temperature of our church the usher would have a problem adjusting it to their needs, for heavy north winds serve as our A/C. Accompanying the wind is a strong odor from an outhouse or nearby chicken coop, and smoke from brush fires tends to accumulate in the open space of our churches location. The weary bodies mentioned are children. We set them aside to sleep on the woven grass mats that serve as our pews. The congregation begins to sing songs of praise asking God to "open up the Heavens." The looming clouds seem to comply as drops of rain fall to the earth.
Humans are not the only attendees present. As the sun grows dim giant fruit bats begin to swoop through the air. Flies, mosquitos, and other pests swarm around our bodies. Dogs and cats saunter in and out among the people, hoping for a hand-out from some kind soul. Finding none they settle for lying on the altar mats.
It's not quite the first picture you had in mind, is it? From a "good time, party all night long" scene to a life far from anything you will ever experience. In fact, this is what most people strive to never live like. Working day after day to make ends meet, to have transportation, electricity, fashionable clothing, and all the amenities the world has to offer. Most of us have obtained, or at least for the moment grasp this lifestyle, yet we still sit unhappy and transfixed in our pews. There are many things I could learn from these people, but the one that stands out so vividly to me is humility. Pride in Webster's dictionary is referred to as "An over high opinion of oneself; exaggerated self-esteem; conceit; a too great sense of one's own superiority; vanity." The bible refers to pride as "not of the Father, but is of the world" 1John 2:16. Jesus spake of pride as defiling a man. (See Mark 7:20-22) The Psalmist David wrote that God would hide His goodness from the pride of man (Psalm 31:19-20). Pride is never referred as a good attitude to have. Even so our hearts are full of pride, and it dictates much of our daily lives. What we wear, whom we befriend, where we work, what "good deeds" we do. "Sure pastor I'll help out at the church, but I don't take out the trash, and definitely can't clean toilets. It's just not my thing." "God use me in ministry! I just can't work with the homeless, or old. I don't cook, and besides I can't go to work with their smell on me." Pride even controls how we worship God. Our first reaction is to see who's watching when God's spirit moves on us to dance or shout. We clap lightly, whispering "Amens", and harnessing the urge to run the aisles. I'm not calling out a need to be overly boisterous in our worship. Sometimes going to the extremes in worship can be prideful as well. Being aware of your surroundings, and the effect it has on people is good, it only becomes a problem when we give up singing a hymn of praise unto God because we can't find the right note, or sit down in the midst of worship because we have a nice outfit on tonight. Worshiping God is not about the way you look or your reputation. It is in fact the opposite. When we worship God we come in humbleness. Knowing that no way we act or look can change the sin in our lives. Only through God's grace and salvation can we obtain freedom from our sin.
As I look at the Nivan people who have humbled themselves before God it makes me ever aware of my own pride and self-indulgence. I want to forget who is around me, what clothes I am wearing, what they will say when I dance before Him, if my hair falls down, whether people say I'm "so spiritual" when I choose to give up activities, and I want to live, pray, dance freely in His presence, knowing that He is my only audience, and no one else matters. There is so much more that could be said on the topic of pride, but I will let the Word of God say it. James 4:6-10 "But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. HUMBLE yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He SHALL lift you up."
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