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| Come join the Watoto Children’s Choir for a one-night-only concert as they bring you their unique message of joy and hope! |
It’s no surprise that music and singing have always been a strong part of Christian worship. The instruments and styles vary with culture and context, but when God’s saving power enters into our lives,
our hearts are set free to sing. When people experience life in all its fullness, we can’t help but sing and dance for joy in praise to God!
Consider this passage from Acts 3:1–8: ‘One day Peter and John were going up to the temple… And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.’
Have you ever felt so excited you couldn’t sit still? Have you ever felt so happy that your heart might burst for joy? For most of us, and especially for children and adults living in poverty and oppression, these are tragically rare moments.
God wants to break through the veil of our sin, suffering, oppression and sorrow, and set us free so we can rejoice in praise. The daughter of a friend of mine has a severe illness that has paralysed her entire body except her mouth, eyes and a few fingers. She can’t even turn her head. But she can sing – faint in sound but strong in passion, how she can sing! Her body is broken but her heart bursts and her determination to sing praises to God is overwhelming!
Often when I pass by people who are begging, I avert my eyes, not wanting to look them in the face, possibly out of embarrassment for not helping them. Peter looked the man in the eyes. He didn’t give the man what he wanted. He gave him something better. Often those in poverty feel unknown and ignored. They can’t even dream any more for what they really desire, and they seek only what’s required for daily survival. God wants to work through us so people’s deepest needs can be fulfilled.
Reflect on these:
- How can we approach our work so that it’s God whom people praise and not just us? How can we make sure that we don’t trust our ‘silver or gold’ as the sources of help?
- Can you remember any times you were so filled with joy and praise you wanted to sing and dance?
- Make a list of things for which you want to praise God.
Prayer:
“Come and help us, Lord Jesus. A vision of your face will brighten us; but to feel your Spirit touching us will make us vigorous. Oh! For the leaping and walking of the man born lame. May we today dance with holy joy. May a holy exhilaration take possession of every part of us; may we be glad in the Lord; may our mouth be filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing, ‘for the Lord has done great things for us whereof we are glad.’”
Take part in song and dance:
Come join the Watoto Children’s Choir for a one-night-only concert as they bring you their unique message of joy and hope! Your presence will help raise awareness for orphans in Africa who have lost their parents to war, disease and poverty. Click here to find out more!
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