To whom are you singing?

Worshipping God together is an extraordinary privilege. But there are two equal and opposite errors we can fall into when it comes to corporate worship and singing. 

The first is to approach the whole thing with no expectation of encountering God. Maybe you arrive late. You sing somewhat half-heartedly, if at all. Your mind is on all sorts of things except the words you’re singing. And your expectations are met perfectly; you didn’t anticipate meeting with God, and you were not wrong.

The other error may be just as bad. This is when you enter into a time of worship imagining that it’s all about you and God. Maybe you attempt to block out everyone else around you. It doesn’t matter who is (or isn’t) in the room, because you’re all about that deeply personal, very private sense of encounter.

Both approaches are wrong when you begin to understand what singing is all about, and to whom it’s directed. Paul calls on us to be filled with the Spirit, 

‘…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…’ (Eph 5.19)

You’re singing ‘to the Lord with your heart’, which means that a certain sense of reverence and expectation is right, when you come to a gathering with God’s people. You know that God is listening. You know that he loves your singing, that he wants your adoration and love, and that he promises to meet with those who draw near to him. So, even before you arrive, you’re preparing your heart in order to give your best.

But equally, you’re ‘addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’, which means that you’re meant to be fully aware of the people around you. You’re looking at them. You’re singing to them, and they’re singing to you. This is one reason we conduct our Upper Room gatherings in the round, all up close and facing each other; it’s so that you can see and hear each other, and feel the powerful encouragement and strengthening to your soul that accompanies the roar of praise rising from the saints.

Let us be a church that is known for our raucous and passionate praise, both to bless God and each other.