The sun is blazing, and it is very hot, but it is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Haiti. People are walking from miles around to come to the Love A Child Church here on campus. They walk here on long dusty roads and somehow show up to the worship service with beautifully shined shoes and bright, clean clothes. It is because they prepare! They prepare themselves for worship. They clearly put effort, thought, and work into giving their best to the Lord.

When they arrive, there are some last-minute preparations that still need to be taken care of. There is always a crowd around the water spigots. The people rinse the dust off their faces, legs, and feet. They shine and polish their shoes. They do not want to bring the grime and dust into the church building. They make sure the little ones are clean and ready to enter the doors. Some have even brought a spare pair of shoes to put on. But it is clear that they take this time of dedication and worship seriously. They are preparing their hearts, minds, and bodies for worship.

We could learn something from these precious people. We should prepare our hearts, our plans, and our thoughts for worship.

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Psalm 95:6

Jesse Ostrander