Worship this past Sunday was AWESOME! Those leading praise took to heart the words of Ephesians 5:19, “Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts.”
It was uplifting and inspiring to be part of those gathered. The worship leaders weren’t directing a performance to entertain the congregation. Instead, they drew all of us into a time of expressing to God our love and thanks for who He is and for what He has done.
In the Good News Translation of the Bible, there are 60 verses that tell us to “Sing to the Lord.” There are no caveats on singing. Nowhere does it specify that one must be a good singer. In fact, it simply says “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!”
In 1761, John Wesley, founder of Methodism, published “Directions for Singing”. Wesley agreed with the hymn writer, Isaac Watts, who said, “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God.” Wesley instructed worshippers to, “Sing all. Sing lustily and with good courage.”
Wesley also understood that not only what we sing but how we sing is important. “Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep. Do not bawl so as to be heard above the rest of the congregation but strive to unite your voices together.”
While I truly love to sing, there are Sundays when I am on autopilot, barely aware of the words flowing out of my mouth. There is very little “praise in my heart”. My thoughts are miles away, and they aren’t on God. I fail to follow Wesley’s admonition to “Sing spiritually.”
As I read the words of Ephesians 5:19, God filled my heart with the desire to offer Him worship that is pleasing and glorifying to Him. I pray that I will strive with Wesley to “Have an eye to God in every word I sing… and attend strictly to the sense of what I sing…” Will you join me?
Be encouraged!
©2022 Pamela D. Williams.
