The Simple Message

I just got back from night church at First CRC, and i must say that it was one of the funnest :) services i've been to in a while. It was their 'bi-annual' "Friendship Club" service (for those of you who are unaware of what the Friendship Club is all about - it is a group for mentally and/or physically disabled people of all ages). Now, tonights service, while it may have been simple, was one of the most joyous services i've ever been to. With a selection of songs like "This little light of mine", "If i were a butterfly", and "I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart" (believe me.. i did actions for all the songs :)), i felt like i was transmitted back in time to my Sunday School days :). Not to mention the amazing accompaniment of the music makers which also added to the beauty of the service. But the thing that struck me the most was just the joy that shone forth so brightly throughout the whole service. Everyone sort of 'let loose' and just sang with all they had these simple messages of love and thanks to God. The message too was a simple one too, reminding the congregation of the story of Noah and of God's love and desire to see the good in the world continue in the midst of the evil. God said "yes" to the good and "no" to the bad in his world. But, bottom message, God SO LOVED the world that he did not condemn the world, but chose to save his world. What a simple, and yet beautiful reminder. For myself, tonights message was a simple and yet completely powerful reminder not to get so caught up in the every day details, so frustrated with life, so confused with seeing God's will, so engrossed with the 'bigger issues' that we forget the 'simple message' - that God did not abandon his world, but chose instead to send his son to once and for all 'stamp' out the sin in the world - that's definitely something to sing about.