Day #5

5-24-09

Today's church service was a really unique experience. It never ceases to amaze me how much joy the Ugandans possess. Just as Brian, one of our trip leaders, talked about early in the service, clearly joy is not dependent upon circumstances. If so, the people of Uganda would be the last to possess such a fruit of the Spirit.
I feel as though their worship was so genuine. One of the main singers had just recently lost her mother and had never had a Father figure in her life, yet she appeared to have so much faith in and love for God. It reminded me of some lyrics from the popular worship song, "Blessed be Your Name":

"You give and take away... my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name."

I cannot imagine losing my mother, but as Luke 14:26 says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciple." I must love God more than my mom, dad, brothers and sisters, even myself. This means praising God both when He blesses me and when He seemingly takes blessings away. What a life lesson!