A woman and I were talking a while ago about singing in church. She said she used to sing along, but she thought her singing voice wasn’t very good, so she began either singing very softly, or not at all, so that she would not distract others or draw attention to herself.

Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and playing to the Lord in your hearts. – Ephesians 5:18b-19

Singing has always had a part in worship. And it isn’t just reserved for some people; all are invited. I asked that woman if she had children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Indeed she had. I asked if she’d ever given them some crayons, and if they had drawn something for her with those crayons. Yes, of course. It went straight to her refrigerator, she answered. Then I drove home my point: You may not have even been able to figure out what it is they drew, but to you it was a masterpiece anyway. To you, it was a Rembrandt; a Monet on par with anything in the Louvre. That’s how God feels about your voice. He gave it to you as a gift, and by singing, you give it back to Him. It might sound like screeching monkeys to you, but to Him it’s nothing short of Luciano Pavarotti or Aretha Franklin. After all, you’re not singing for the entertainment of the people around you, you’re singing for the Almighty Creator who gave you that voice. So, lift it up and belt it out! She gave me a huge smile, took my hand, and said from now on she would do just that, and thank you for your encouragement!

The history of worship is filled with singing: From the Israelites, when God saved them from the Egyptians; King David, who is credited with most of the songs in the Book of Psalms; the Levites, at the dedication of the Temple; Jesus and the disciples even sang a hymn at the end of the Last Supper:
Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. – Matthew 26:30

As a cantor, I have a unique point of view as I look out over the congregation. You in the pews see the
people on the altar and the backs of a bunch of people’s heads. I see everyone’s face! It fills my heart
when I see people not just following along as the singer sings but uniting their voices with mine in praise and thanksgiving to Our Lord. And, having led music on a few retreats, I’ve been brought to tears
by the sound of twenty or thirty-men’s voices belting out something that I wrote (or, more appropriately,
God wrote using my hand).

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his
marvelous deeds. – Psalms 96:1-3

So, don’t be afraid to let ‘er rip! You might not be the next Josh Groban or Celine Dion, but to God’s ear, you’re right up there with the best! Your audience – the One that matters – loves it! I’ll see you – and hear you – on Sunday.

We pray:
O Father of all music, you gave us our voices, whatever they might be. Remove our inhibitions;
grant us the spirit to give our voices back to you in song as our gift to You. You gave us Your best
without holding back; grant that we may do the same. We ask this through Your Son, who sang
hymns to you even at the end. AMEN.

Shared with permission by a choir friend in Connecticut