Oct
25
Sing (or Speak)
Filed Under Devotional
My son thought I was kidding when I told him that I sang in the choir in junior high. For one year, I attended a private Christian school that offered an elective for seventh graders like myself. The options were band or choir. I didn’t play an instrument so there really wasn’t much choice. At any rate, I did enough to not embarrass myself, then. My skills have waned somewhat since that time. So much so, that when my son asked me to try out the vocal portion of his music game, it ended with my being banned from trying again.
What I’m saying here is that I am not a singer.
So, these verses made me chuckle:
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20
If I began speaking in song to my family, I would lose all credibility. But, I think I get Paul’s point. Anything that comes out of my mouth needs to be structured around Christ. We need to be loving, supporting, exhorting, correcting, teaching, and encouraging with a foundation of Christ.
Christ-like and Christ-centered communication can’t be a twice-a-week thing. This is a way of life in how we relate to one another. It’ll make you sound strange to non-believers, but that’s sort of the point. You’re supposed to be different from them.
It may be painful to hear me sing, but my speech should confirm the faith I declare, not contradict it.
What do people learn from the way you sing (or speak)?