I notice when I look around during a worship service at church, that some people seem to be singing with all that they are, while others are not singing at all. I almost feel compelled to sing, even if I don’t know a song they are singing for the first time, but I can understand why some won’t. Maybe someone told them they are not any good at singing, or for whatever reason, they don’t think they are, and choose not to sing. Maybe they are singing in their hearts, or maybe not. Our seven year old son knows the words to a lot of songs, but am not sure he has ever hit a correct note, but that doesn’t seem to hold him back. I enjoyed singing somewhat up through high school, then had a new director my freshman year who was fairly critical of everyone, so I quit going. In college, I joined the choir for other reasons and had a director who compelled us to sing well in the best way possible and I truly enjoyed learning to sing. I probably still can’t read music that well, but do enjoy singing. Do you find joy in music, or in singing praises to God, whether you are any good or not?
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3
Our children enjoy music and we occasionally have impromptu dance parties in our kitchen. It doesn’t seem to matter too much what the songs are as long as they can move along to them, whether worship songs, or 1960 BeBop. I also enjoy making up songs and singing them to our kids, which I always find fun, and that they also enjoy sometimes. When you sing about what just happened 2 minutes ago, you never run out of material to sing about. I once speculated that we have not even sung 1 percent of the songs that will ever be written, even though most may not be worth hearing again, while we sing others thousands of times. I do confess that I have had some songs stuck in my head that I would rather forget. Are there any songs that you remember from your childhood that will never leave your mind?
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
When we get to heaven, some truly believe that we will sit around on clouds playing harps or singing, which has been portrayed in popular culture for decades. I’m sure there may be harps available, but also every other instrument you can imagine and some you have never even dreamed of. I truly believe that there will be endless opportunities to learn and grow and write new songs, including the best worship song you have never heard of before. Even if you have never felt you were a good singer, you may have abilities you never developed here on earth, but what would you do if you could sing better than anyone you have ever heard? I would be grateful and use that ability as best I could to praise the one who gave me that ability. Would you join me?
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 5:9
Yours in Christ,
Clark
