I love how the Japanese people say “I LOVE YOU” in different ways and levels:
Daisuki = for friends and persons you like
Aishiteru = for a more serious relationship
Koishiteru = for the person you want to spend your life with
This is amazing because it preserves the real meaning of “I love you”. The Japanese give the words “I LOVE YOU” a deeper meaning.
I’ve been serving the Lord through music for more than a decade now and God has taught me something really important in life – a deeper meaning of worship.
Worshipping and serving God in times of joy and blessings has always been easy. It’s a different story though when God puts us in a difficult situation. Will you still worship, even in your darkest hours, in sorrow and pain? Will you still open your Bible and meditate? Will you still pray? Will you still serve the Lord?
Before 2014 ended, a shocking news about my parents caught me and my siblings off guard. This was something I never thought would happen to them. The laborers in our family business got troubled as well and their respect for us diminished. This broke our hearts and made us emotionally down.
Just a month after, my very first boyfriend and I broke up. Everything seemed to be falling apart. I felt the need to rest in my ministry. However, that was also the time when we were preparing for the BIGGER AND BETTER event and the need for a pianist was really high.
I didn’t know what to do, my heart was troubled, and my mind could not focus. I felt lost. I wanted to talk to somebody, but I thought of no one who would care enough to listen other than GOD. So I cried and poured all my hurts and troubles to Him. It’s amazing because we have a God who is true to His word that whoever seeks Him with all of his heart will find Him. This was what the Lord impressed with me:
Isaiah: 49:15-16 NIV
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
I was encouraged by my God! This was unforgettable. After all this, I still chose to continue in my ministry and as I go on worshipping Him on and off the stage, the blessings keep coming one at a time.
I’m no good as a musician, but God has empowered me. I became part of the technical team in our ministry and was given the privilege to teach music in and out of my local church. I was also given the chance to travel to Japan, one of the must-visit countries, paying only for visa and travel tax and that was my first ever out-the-country trip!
Worship is not just for the good times, but must also be seen in bad times; and our response to worship during our tough times is what grabs God’s attention. Worship is an act of obedient faith, even if circumstances offer opportunities to fear. Worship must cost us something.
And as we seek first the kingdom of God and obey the Holy Spirit, He calls us on to a greater and deeper knowledge of Himself.
Whatever it is, choose to WORSHIP.
