As I think about the Area-Wide Singing we are hosting on Saturday evening, July 19, I am reminded of how many times I have heard people say, “Well, I just don’t enjoy singing.” I understand what is meant by the expression, but there is more to enjoying singing than some realize.
It is true that too many times we have placed such an emphasis on the notes of songs that we feel uncomfortable when trying to sing. If those who are adept at reading music struggle with focusing on the words of a song where the music is particularly trying, think of how those who do not “sing well” struggle when they sing less “difficult” songs. The problem is that we may have thought that singing has more to do with notes than with words.
Think about it for a moment. Since we are told to sing psalms in our worship, who would ever say that “I do not enjoy reading the psalms”? This is a key concept each of us should get! There is little difference between reading a psalm and singing a psalm. So the next time you are tempted to say that you do not enjoy singing, think before you speak.
Another aspect of singing is to “speak to one another” and thereby encourage them to live closer to God and give more diligent service. So if I say, “I just don’t enjoy singing,” is it not true that I am saying, “I don’t enjoy encouraging my brethren”?
Many of our songs are prayer songs like Be With Me Lord, Take My Life and Let It Be, Purer in Heart, or Have Thine Own Way. Who would ever read the words of these prayer songs and say they do not make one soberly reflect on his own spiritual growth? Yet if I say, “I just don’t enjoy singing,” am I not in some way saying that I don’t enjoy asking God to help me be more spiritual?
Then there are songs that extol the praises of God like How Great Thou Art, There is A God—He Is Alive, A Wonderful Savior, or Our God Is an Awesome God. Listen to what we are saying when we say,
“I just don’t enjoy singing.” Do we really mean this?
So, before you ever again say, “I don’t enjoy singing,” sit down with a song book and read the words carefully. Which words in which songs do not bring you joy? Singing that springs forth from the depth of our soul— “making melody in your heart to the Lord”—is singing that God honors and every Christian enjoys!