This was the conversation I had with my 3 year old son this morning:
Odis: Mommy, can you please stop singing?
Me: Why do I have to stop singing?
Odis: Because you’re not quiet!
This is one of many darling conversations I have with my buddy, but this particular one had me pause and ponder for a moment. Odis loves my singing, but here and there he asks if I can stop singing so he can have quiet time (and hey, I don’t blame him because I am the same way).
I love singing, and even more so, I love singing for the Lord! In times of stress, anguish, and sadness, I sing to chase the blues away. In moments of joy, peace, and happiness, I sing with vigor and gladness. I sing praise and worship to chase Satan away. I sing to my son at bedtime to teach him about the love of Jesus. I sing because that’s how I fight my battles (Surrounded—Upper Room).
There is so much beauty and healing when I sing to God in a posture of worship and surrender, when I pour my heart out to Him in prayer, and read His Holy Word. There is so much in Scripture consenting to us making a joyful noise unto the Lord, with singing and dancing and playing the lyre and harp. God loves this stuff! He loves when we make a racket for Him, and on top of that it’s helpful to know that this racket drives the enemy away.
“My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being. Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your faithful love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens, and let your glory be over the whole earth.” (Psalm 108:1-5)
“Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise him in his mighty expanse. Praise him for his powerful acts; praise him for his abundant greatness. Praise him with trumpet blast; praise him with harp and lyre. Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and flute. Praise him with resounding cymbals; praise him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 150)
But…there is something so beautiful, intimate, and a holy awareness of God’s Presence when I’m quiet too. When I don’t make noise is often when God does. I can feel his calm and his peace. I can hear him speak to me. When my singing subsides and my requests settle for a moment, I make space for God to invade my heart, mind, and soul. I believe this is why God included Scripture to teach and help us not approach him with mere words and hastiness, but with open ears and open hands:
“Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Ecc. 5:2)
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
My son’s words were a bit silly and cute, but his words rang true: “Because you’re not quiet.”
So I cling on to this. I approach God in prayer to help me yield before him more often, waiting for his words instead of offering my own.
My ears are open, God. I extend my hands to you. Fill me and speak to me, my heart is open to receive.
Dear Lord, I know how pleasing it is to you to hear my words, my praises, and my singing. How delighted you are when I take time to sit at your feet and to sing in thankfulness of all that you are and have blessed me with. Despite all this, I pray that I yield to you in open acceptance of what you have to say to me, because oh, how wonderfully sweet your words are! Nothing can compare to what you have planned to pour on me. When I become impulsive to lay all my requests before you, may I pause and say, “Lord, I have many requests, confessions, and remembrance I’d like to provide, but I am choosing to listen to what you have to say to me first. Speak to my heart, Lord. I surrender my agenda to you, and my ears are open to receive your words.” Give me your strength, Lord, as I yield all that I am to you. I love you so much, and I am ready to receive your will and your plan. In Your Mighty and Holy Name, Amen.
