Do you like music? Today we’re surrounded by it. Out and about, every other person has earphones on with, no doubt, their own personal playlist. Yet our relationship to music and singing is more likely to be as a consumer than a producer.
Many of us have probably been to weddings of unbelievers, where no one sings the songs. Or we’ve watched athletes or sportsmen awkwardly sing their national anthems. Singing today is mainly an activity to watch and listen to, rather than participate in. People a hundred years ago would think it very strange that when we say ‘play music’ today, we mean click a button.
In this day and age, one of the most important things Christians can do on Sunday is to sing. The Bible treats singing as a command – it’s your Christian duty. ‘Shout for joy to God… Sing the glory of his name!’ (Psalm 66:1-2). Open those lungs. Let it go! Bellow! If doing that makes you feel uncomfortable or awkward, let me encourage you to keep working at it!
Why? Because there’s something about singing to God in worship that combines our hearts, minds, souls, and strength in a unique way. We’re told to love the Lord with all our heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:33), and, in the act of singing, our minds are engaged, our hearts are stirred, our physical strength is exerted, and the deepest parts of our soul are reached.
Singing well isn’t about hitting the right notes (though it helps!), but about throwing yourself into the act, out of love for God. Saved sinners make the best singers! It would be wonderful if churches are known not for the musicality or modernity of the songs, so much as the congregation’s desire to sing up and sing out.
