Two Hours Away from Comfort

It only took us about two hours from Orange County to Tijuana, Mexico. But crossing that border felt like stepping into a different world. That one step changes the road signs from English to Spanish, and distances are measured in kilometers instead of miles. A completely different world lies just two hours south of home.

Loveagain Church joined Grace Bible Church for a mission trip. We served people experiencing homelessness, shared the gospel with neighborhood children, distributed supplies, and gathered with local teenagers for a Saturday worship night.

Out of all the ministries in those two days, that Saturday worship night stayed with me. No air conditioning, no fancy stage lights, not even a legit sound system. About a hundred people were packed into one space–since I was stuck behind the drum shield, it was getting even hotter inside–the heat was hard to ignore. We played about twenty songs over almost three hours, yet those teenagers kept dancing before the Lord, singing and worshiping their hearts out. The room was hot, the space was jam-packed, and nobody seemed to care. They were simply there to worship Jesus.

Living in Orange County, it’s easy to get accustomed to a certain lifestyle. Convenience becomes an expectation. Comfort becomes a priority. Without realizing it, we carry those expectations into church. We begin evaluating worship by how well everything serves us. Was the music good? Was the temperature comfortable? Did I enjoy the experience?

Watching those teenagers worship reminded me of something we easily forget: There is only one Audience in worship, and His name is Jesus. That night in Tijuana reminded me how easily comfort can become an expectation, and how easily that expectation can distract me from the One I’m there to worship.

As the Father seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24), may we never let comfort determine our worship.