I’ve been thinking a lot about singing lately.
That’s probably because Southern A’Chord, the women’s a cappella chorus in which I sing baritone, has a busy performance schedule ahead. And that suits me just fine. After all, I’ve loved singing ever since I discovered alto in the ninth grade.
Last weekend, we traveled to Arcadia to perform at the Bienville Parish Library. This Thursday, Nov. 12, we’ll present “Let Freedom Sing!” at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston. The free community performance will celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary with patriotic selections, gospel songs and pop favorites.
Then, in December, we’ll trade our patriotic numbers for Christmas favorites as we perform at the Art Crawl in downtown West Monroe and at a private Christmas party.
That’s a lot of singing. But I can’t think of a much better way to spend my time.
Actually, I’ve sometimes wondered why God gave us the ability to sing. Certainly, our voices are useful for communicating with one another. We can carry on conversations, ask questions, tell stories and express our feelings through ordinary speech. Yet God gave us something more. He gave us the ability to turn those words into music.
What a blessing that is.
Think about how music touches our lives. A familiar song can transport us back decades, bringing to mind people and places we haven’t thought about in years. A hymn can offer comfort during a difficult time. A joyful melody can lift our spirits when we’re feeling down. Sometimes, when words alone seem inadequate, singing can express what’s in our hearts before we even realize it ourselves.
What’s more, music has a meaningful place in scripture. In Colossians 3:16, Paul encourages Christians to teach and admonish one another “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (If I had a nickel for every time I heard Mr. Broadus Smith quote that verse in the little church I attended while growing up, well, I’d be able to buy myself a really big, fancy dessert.)
Also, Ephesians 5:19 speaks of “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Notice that both passages mention the heart. Singing isn’t simply a matter of producing the correct notes or remembering the words. When we sing praises to God, our hearts should be involved as well.
One of the things I particularly enjoy about singing in a chorus is hearing four different voice parts come together in harmony. Each part has its own notes, and sometimes those notes don’t sound particularly impressive when sung alone. I can certainly testify to that as a baritone. But when the tenor, lead, baritone and bass parts blend, the result can be something beautiful. Each singer contributes to the whole, and each part has a purpose.
It’s not only about the voices blending, though. Scientists have discovered something else that’s remarkable about people who sing together: Their heart rates can begin to synchronize, speeding up and slowing down in similar patterns. Think about that. When voices join in harmony, even the singers’ hearts can begin to move together. What a beautiful reminder of the unity that music can create.
That reminds me of another biblical principle. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the church to a body with many members, each having a different function. We don’t all have the same abilities, but we can use the gifts God has given us to serve him and one another. Perhaps that’s one of the lessons music can teach us. We don’t have to do exactly the same things to work together in harmony.
As our chorus prepares for these performances, I’m thankful for the friendships, music and opportunities to share something we love. I’m even more thankful that God gave us voices with which to praise him.
That’s a song worth singing every day.
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