never no more//week17

This week Paarl came together to worship. And I mean all of Paarl; black, white, colored, rich, poor, charismatic, legalistic, English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, American all joined together. It was a true miracle. Only the power of the Holy Spirit could join together what a history of bigotry has separated.

Listening to the mighty voices joining together in praise seemed to be a prelude to what heaven must like. The stunning harmonies were a testament to a greater unity.

Each night this week Toringkerk Church opened its doors to all. Never before had the wooden pews welcomed the graciously sized derrières of the Xhosa mamas. Never before had the ornate ceilings each with the joyous shouts of colored voices. Never before had that place of God seen all colors of God’s children joined together. But when has “never” been anything more than an invitation for the Holy Spirit to stir?

The “Walking with God” church revival was a movement intended to assemble and encourage the Christians of the Paarl Valley. Each night this week, almost two thousand people from all over the valley filled the church. People from churches all the around joined together. Some served soup to the hungry. Others ushered people to their seats. Those gifted musically led the mass in worship. Authors and preachers came from across the world to cheer on the church. It was cross-cultural occasion that had never happened before.

Sure the haggard wounds of a harmful past still lingered, but there was a gentle awareness of coming reconciliation that could not be ignored. And while the town of Paarl has a long ways to go before genuine unity is reached, it seems to me that we’ve entered a new era where “never” is no longer binding.