Me Voici pour Louer... (Here I am to Worship....)

A quaint stone courtyard, just off the main road, serves as a place for the small congregation to greet each other before the service begins, and a place for a handful of children to chase each other in circles.  The courtyard serves as the threshold to the Centre Evangelistique Protestante (CEP), and so in essence, the courtyard serves as a spiritual threshold, ushering both English and French-speaking people into the presence of the living God. 

The inside of the meeting room is unassuming and simply decorated, but the large windows, stretching nearly to the ceiling, draw in the sunlight and create a mood that is at once refreshing, welcoming, joyful.  The congregation’s worship is sincere and energetic, and the pastor’s message is rooted in truth and authenticity.

My first experience with a church here in Grenoble was certainly a highlight of my time thus far.  Instead of merely retelling what took place, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into my experience by sharing what I wrote in my journal (just this once ;) detailing just some of what I felt and what I heard from God…

Lord, I don’t even know where to begin!  My heart is full.  I praise you for being such a strong, Universal, Transcendent God. 

Church this morning at International Church of Grenoble was amazing.  God, first of all, you helped us find it on time!  Then, you blessed me tremendously through worshiping you.  I had missed it so much!  It seemed simply too much—to be able to worship with other believers half way around the world in English. 

The message profoundly touched me.  Humility and Holiness.  God, it’s something you desire of your people, and consequently, it’s on the heart of your people around the world.   It is the best way to live, and it is something your Everlasting Kingdom is built on.  I praise you also for the ministry of Sous Figuer, and how they long to minister to the helpless!  My heart leapt for joy when I realized that even here, you are moving your people toward mercy and compassion. 

God, the people were so kind. Michelle Ball, Marie, Matt, Donna…Thank you for your people planted in Grenoble!

But the best decision was staying for the service in French with CEP, Lord.  I got to worship you in FRENCH today!  And be fed by your Word in French.  What a privilege!  Some songs I didn’t know, but others I recognized: “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” and “Heart of Worship”….  Lord, this Body loves to sing, to clap!  And they love to pray.  At least four times during the service, they had a time of prayer out loud, each one as led….that was awesome.

The Pastor began with a survey about how important we considered the Word and how often we read it, because He wants to encourage the Body to dig in!.  He didn’t make a pitch, but he shed light on Your Word for all that it is.  Father, the reading of your Word is a desire you are collectively moving Your Body to.  It is the only way to know you, Lord, as the Word. La Parole.
 
God, there was especially one or two moments during the service when I almost wanted to break down and cry.  One was during a spontaneous prayer time.  A man to my left across the aisle began to pray about a passage of Scripture that had touched his heart that week, that had pushed him toward you… and that passage, which he began reciting, was this one:

“L’Eternal est mon berger; je ne manquerai rien… Même si je marche dans la vallée de l’ombre du mort, je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es avec moi…”  (psalm 23)

Oh our Shepherd!  It was almost too much to give me, this realization that during the same week of life, you had been speaking this psalm into my life too, helping me memorize it…

Lord, how I felt unified with the Body unlike ever before.  And of all the words you could speak…. Thank you for reminding us—that french man and myself-- that You guard us like lambs.  I’m reminded that You always whisper to us exactly what we need most.

Humility.  Holiness.  Hearing You through Your Word. 

Oh God, France needs You.