I know it seems really tacky and most of you might not believe this, but I have found a bride. She is a knockout. Unfortunately she isn’t my bride. She is Christ’s. Although the Bible was referring to the universal church as his bride(Rev 19:6-9), I believe that each week as I attend the gathering of believers here in Kampala it is a good picture of what His bride will look like.
We have been attending Calvary Chapel in downtown Kampala. It occupies the 4th and 5th floor of a building that sits just above the taxi park. It is known as a muzungu church by the Ugandans. I’m pretty sure it’s because the majority of worship is in English and resembles what many contemporary churches in America would have, and not that there are about 15 white people each week. Regardless, each Sunday I see something beautiful. The pastors themselves are from 3 different continents (Asia, North America, and Africa). The worship leaders vary as well. Most days you see the influence of 6 of the 7 continents in worship – I have yet to find an impact from Antarctica. There are people from all the continents, maybe except Australia. I can’t be for sure on that one, but some of the music is from an Australian band. There are business men and woman, worshippers from the middle class, and there are street kids. You don’t see people not sitting by someone for any reason, but rather we get packed in together. Personally, seeing all the differences is something that draws me to the heart of God.
However, all the differences in the world won’t make her pretty. She can be pretty on the outside, because it’s the inside that God sees. I believe when God looks at our group of believers he sees a group of passionate worshipers. Each week you can feel the spirit descending during our praise and resting above us. I see people moved to tears, others bowing in prayer, and still others sing and shout with faces bursting with joy. I tend to sit near one of the windows that looks over the city. Just below is a busy intersection. I love it when we sing songs with words of shouting so the whole world will hear, and I pray for those people moving about on the street. I pray for those people who are stuck in place where they can’t seem to worship. Buildings with the name “church on them”, but looking so much like an ugly step-sister. I believe Jesus wants His bride. I believe Jesus wants His bride to WANT Him. I believe in her. Many years ago the call of God for me was to work on her. God is renewing that call in me. We are all called to that though. We are all called to make her more beautiful. Will you join me? Will you help me in the wedding plans? One of my friends in Christ wrote, “It was time for us to quit complaining about the church we saw, and start becoming the church we wanted to see.” I CHOOSE 2B apart of the Bride of Christ. Will you?
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