April 9
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4
Isn’t it true that we cannot help but feel a sense of joy when we hear someone singing from the heart? Have you ever listened to a mother singing to her baby? Her happiness is coming out without thought of who may hear her other than that child. For many of us though, our self-consciousness about the quality of our voices can be restrictive to a fault. I love listening to the spontaneous singing of my Grandchildren, who constantly are singing without a care no matter what they are doing in the house. If we think of singing in terms of a form of prayer to God, who gave us these voices as different and unique as they are – voices that have an amazing complex ability to express emotion - we would not stop singing in gratitude! I know, I know! There are those who clearly know they do not have the gift of sounding like Luciano Pavarotti or Sarah Brightman, but how many of us do? If we take a little time each day to sing our praises to God, we will lose some of that hesitation and inhibition, for our focus will be on God, not ourselves. Do you sing in the shower or whenever you know you are alone? That is a start!
No matter how our voices may sound individually, when singing with another or with many as in a choir, or with the accompaniment of music, the combination is beautiful! God wants to hear our joy, whether we are alone or with others. God wants to hear our happiness! God wants to hear our gratitude! And when we shout for joy to Him, we cannot help but feel uplifted and in doing so, we also uplift those around us. In our expressions of happiness and jubilation to God, our souls and spirits soar! As with all forms of prayer, our prayer of song blends with all that is being offered to God at that moment. Just imagine the chorus of praise in song that is lifting up to God each day as each of us sings in adoration to Him! Sing with all your might and with joy in your heart! It is music to His ears!
May our songs of joy and gratitude reach your ears, O God!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4
Isn’t it true that we cannot help but feel a sense of joy when we hear someone singing from the heart? Have you ever listened to a mother singing to her baby? Her happiness is coming out without thought of who may hear her other than that child. For many of us though, our self-consciousness about the quality of our voices can be restrictive to a fault. I love listening to the spontaneous singing of my Grandchildren, who constantly are singing without a care no matter what they are doing in the house. If we think of singing in terms of a form of prayer to God, who gave us these voices as different and unique as they are – voices that have an amazing complex ability to express emotion - we would not stop singing in gratitude! I know, I know! There are those who clearly know they do not have the gift of sounding like Luciano Pavarotti or Sarah Brightman, but how many of us do? If we take a little time each day to sing our praises to God, we will lose some of that hesitation and inhibition, for our focus will be on God, not ourselves. Do you sing in the shower or whenever you know you are alone? That is a start!
No matter how our voices may sound individually, when singing with another or with many as in a choir, or with the accompaniment of music, the combination is beautiful! God wants to hear our joy, whether we are alone or with others. God wants to hear our happiness! God wants to hear our gratitude! And when we shout for joy to Him, we cannot help but feel uplifted and in doing so, we also uplift those around us. In our expressions of happiness and jubilation to God, our souls and spirits soar! As with all forms of prayer, our prayer of song blends with all that is being offered to God at that moment. Just imagine the chorus of praise in song that is lifting up to God each day as each of us sings in adoration to Him! Sing with all your might and with joy in your heart! It is music to His ears!
May our songs of joy and gratitude reach your ears, O God!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson