Endless Song

I will sing to the Lord all my life;

    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104.33

                Recently we watched the film, “Florence Foster Jenkins”. It is a great film, based upon a true story. The main character, Florence, loves music. Music is life for her. It’s New York City in the early 1940’s. The world is at war and she sees the music and dramatic arts as a way to uplift and enrich folks’ lives. Her first husband left her with syphilis. Husband number two knows this and adores her anyway. He knows that one day she will die and he does whatever he can to bring her happiness. Poor Florence. She’s extremely wealthy and incredibly tone deaf. She takes voice lessons, yet the money she pays keeps the truth from her. Her husband keeps the truth from her as well.  Florence decides to continue her voice lessons, give a recital at Carnegie Hall, and makes a record in advance. She also invites 1,000 military personnel because she wants to support and encourage them. What happens next is yours to discover.  

As I age, I realize that my music skills aren’t what they once might have been. I’m not as hampered as Florence, yet sometimes it feels as though I am. Many years ago, I heard a commercial on a religious radio station. There was a singer making the most awful sounds that one might ever hear. The voiceover was: “This is what the congregation heard.” Then there was the most beautiful singing perhaps one could ever hear. The voiceover was: “This is what God heard.”

 God doesn’t seek perfect pitch, technique, or intonation. We do. We do, because we listen through human ears and not through the ears of the Holy One who loves us. That’s our sin. Especially when we are in worship, we need to have our God ears working. Children, youth, adults, all struggle with imperfection. I continue to remind myself that when I sing I need my God ears, too. Psalm 98:4 tells us to make a joyful noise, not a perfect one! Imagine all the earth singing together in every different language and every different vocal sound. This summer, as I got up to sing for the first time in many years, I nearly sat down again. The psalms about music and singing began to fill my head and I remembered that I was singing to God, not critics. When the service ended, I was exhausted but I felt good. The Spirit had sent just what I needed and lifted me up when I was too afraid to lift up myself.

 I want to ask you. What are you afraid to do because you might not do it perfectly? What in your life would you like to try for the first time or do once again? Is it art? Cooking? Travel? Dancing? Crafting? Teaching? Visiting? Comforting? Talking? Listening? What is holding you back? Remember that the Source of all Life desires our praise and our faithfulness. The Holy One doesn’t look for perfection in us, but simply and completely loves us! My challenge to you is this. Step out. Take a risk. Do something without the worry of perfection. Do the best you are able to do. Use the gifts you haven’t used in a long time – or the gifts you have yet to explore and discover. Encourage one another and celebrate what each one of us brings! Connect with God’s ears and God’s heart, and rejoice!!