Rachel Whisman

Have you ever stopped just to listen to the chorus of believers around you singing? If I am honest, I would rather sing the whole time, but in the past few Sundays I have stopped at different times. My voice starts to fade away and the other voices next to me begin to rise. 

With my eyes closed and voice off, I listen. I listen as I hear the lady next to me, who has decades of life behind her, sing these precious lyrics, “You have led me through the fire and in darkest night You are close like no other. I’ve known You as a Father. I’ve known You as a Friend and I have lived in the goodness of God.” It makes me think on the beauty of what she is doing. I don’t know everything she has been through, but for her to stand and boldly proclaim these lyrics gives me hope. 

The next song begins and I sing some, but then quiet down and just listen. Not to the lady next to me, but to the whole congregation. I hear the body of Christ come together to proclaim this as believers, “Be thou mine inheritance now and always; be thou and thou only the first in my heart; O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.”  Beautiful requests that we, individually and corporately, are singing to the Lord. Some voices are out of tune and it could be labeled as a cacophony of voices. Yet, it is a beautiful sound to be enthralled with by reminding ourself of the character of God, His rightful position in our lives, and our humble requests. In the stillness of my own voice, I hear how I am not alone. I have Christ, but I also am part of the body of Christ. The song comes to a close and I am joined by others in silence.

It is good to sing loudly. I love it when I hear boisterous voices taking delight in singing songs. Jesus is worthy of praise and singing is a pleasing offering. 

It is good to sing quietly. More intimate it might be as the lyrics are closer to your heart and the other voices around you encourage you as well. So sing quietly if you must. 

It is also good to sing silently. You are not the only one in the room. You are surrounded by the Church body and get to take delight in the voices around you adorning our Savior in singing. It has been an encouragement to me, may it be so to you as well. 

Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! Psalm 68:4-6