Why do you keep on singing?

Singing with others can be quite a vulnerable thing to do - especially when you’re not completely comfortable with each other yet! When the music’s loud enough everyone sings their lungs out, but when you can hear every squeak and every mis-pitched note… 

How about that prayer meeting when your voice is stuck in your throat, because you’re terrified what people will think when you break the silence with the song burning in your heart? 

Or singing in front of a boyfriend for the first (or third, or fourth!) time, and your heart is pounding so loud it might as well be a personal drum-kit?

Or that awkward small group where you’ve handed out the lyrics to your favorite anthem, and no one joins in?

… Is that just me? 

Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. (Eph. 5:18-19)

I actually really enjoy singing. I love getting lost in worshipping Jesus, forgetting myself, letting the things of earth grow “strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”. I also know that my spontaneous, spiritual songs change atmospheres and give courage to others.

I wonder what it was like to sing with Jesus before He went to the cross. Did He cry? Was He filled with joy in the Holy Spirit as He focussed His attention on His Father? What was He like as a worship leader? (read Hebrews 2 and Psalm 22!) Did He encourage His disciples with beautiful mysteries about God and the glory before Him? The terror and the pain of His betrayal and crucifixion, which drove Him to sweat blood later that same evening, did not prevent our Savior from singing with His friends. 

King David was someone who knew how to sing his way out of disappointment, loneliness or depression. He was nakedly honest before God but he also welcomed the right view of His powerful Redeemer. In the wilderness, fleeing from his murderous son, Absalom, David wrote Psalm 63. He chose not to give up in fear and self-pity, but to keep seeking and worshipping His Lord:

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
    I will praise you with songs of joy.

… Because You are my helper,
    I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

I cling to You;
     Your strong right hand holds me securely. (vv. 5-8)

Don’t think that it’s fake to keep singing when your heart’s not yet in it.

Don’t think it’s stupid to sing when you’re scared.

In 2 Chronicles 20, surrounded by enemy armies, King Jehoshaphat was so terrified. He called everyone in Judah to fast to ask God for help. God spoke and told them not to be afraid, but to stand back and just watch “the Lord’s victory”! So the next morning the army of Judah got ready, but the king sent priestly singers out ahead, to face their bloodthirsty enemies first. The singers praised the Lord for His holy splendor: “Give thanks to the LORD; His faithful love endures forever!” At that very moment, the invading armies began attacking and killing each other instead! By the time Judah’s army arrived at the scene, dead bodies already covered the ground as far as the eye could see!

I think this is what Paul means when he says our heavenly weapons are way more powerful than the ways of this world (2 Cor. 10). Our little songs will do great damage to our spiritual enemy’s camp. So let’s lift our voices and arm ourselves with great songs of love, fixing our eyes on Jesus’ worth, and our Father’s goodness.

Can you love Jesus and hate the church?

It’s easy to hate the church. Just as it’s easy to hate any people that aren’t perfect. But should we? This is quite sad, and it leads to depression and loneliness rather than the “relief” that our self-righteousness deceives us into coveting. That sounds quite harsh! But we really just need to own up to the fact that we’re all broken and we’ve all let others down, whether we’re in the church or not.

Is it easy to love Jesus? Some people claim that they don’t mind Him, it’s just His followers they want to avoid. But, as God of the Universe and Judge of our souls, He demands worship and obedience. Not because He’s narcissistic or mean, but because He is actually altogether lovely and worthy of our devotion. Take a look at Jesus’ life on earth, and the impact that He’s made in people’s lives (i.e. the “church”).

Personally, I know that getting to know Jesus over time has led me to fall in love with Him, but I am also confronted with that uncomfortable truth that I am far from like Him. And yet He is merciful, gracious, compassionate with my weakness, and He is already transforming me. He’s also doing the same in my brothers and sisters - can I grow to love them in the way He’s loved me?

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? (2 Cor. 2:15-16)

Jesus warned us that the world is likely to hate us. Since we are meant to look and smell like Him, it’s quite obvious that people will look for flaws if they’re wanting to discredit Jesus.

Here’s some good news: Jesus wants to be the head of this currently, sometimes, dysfunctional body, and He’s not ashamed of us! He delights in us and wants us to be His own!

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Col. 3:12-15)

Jesus commands us to love one another! All through the New Testament, while the apostles keep telling us that we’re all one family and one body in Christ, they didn’t take it for granted that we’d so easily function like this. Even with all the missional needs in the world, we’re first asked to look after each other (Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 3:16-17, James 2:15-16).

We actually have to live out Jesus’ commandment to forgive each other, too! Jesus explained that judging each other won’t get us very far (Matt. 7), and Paul tells us to bear each other’s weaknesses (Rom. 12:1-2). That means a kind of love that puts up with differences, annoyances, and chooses to see the best in each other (1 Cor. 13). This really is possible! We can confess our weaknesses to each other, support each other, pray and prophesy good over each other.

We already have an enemy prowling around to devour us, so let’s use our energy to strengthen and protect each other! I know that in the darkest times in my life, having my brothers and sisters in Christ encourage me and pray for me has dispelled the hopelessness and loneliness, and has enabled me not to give up. We need each other’s love.