The Gift of Music/Vocal (14)
A gifted story: There is sweetness to the
sound of her voice that can only come from her love of God.
You can see it on her face as she sings-- she is praising
God with every breath she takes and every note she sings.
Alice has been singing in the choir for decades, and she no
longer has the power she had when she was younger and there
is a slight wavering in her voice. But the richness of her
delivery nearly stops the heart because you know an angel
is singing, and the beauty of this outpouring of love stirs
your soul. Alice's faith shines through her singing, and it
is a privilege to witness the presence of the Spirit as she
sings. Her gift of vocal music is wonderful to behold.
Biblical references:
1 Cor. 14:26 - This is what I mean, my brothers. When you meet for worship,
one person has a hymn, another a teaching, another a revelation from God,
another a message in strange tongues, and still another the explanation of
what is said. Everything must be of help to the church.
Acts 16:25 - About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns
to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them…All at once
all the doors opened, and the chains fell off the prisoners.
Eph. 5:19 - Speak to one another with the words of the psalms, hymns,
and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts.
Psalm 26:7 - I sing a hymn of thanksgiving and tell of all your wonderful
deeds.
Definition and comment:
The gift of vocal music: the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain
Christians to praise God through song in such a way as to enhance the worship
experience of other believers. It is an ability that gives the believer the
opportunity to present personal witness and inspiration to others through
singing. The key to understanding this gift is not so much the beautiful
sounds or the skill with which the notes are delivered, but the inspiration
behind the delivery. The spiritual aspect of the gift is revealed in the
fullness of song as the gift bearer gives witness to love and praise for
the Lord, and thus glorifies God. Listeners become inspired to feel the presence
and majesty of God when song is lifted in this spiritual manner.
Singing ability alone is something to admire, but when that ability is raised
up as an act of prayer in music from the heart, it can open up others to
the presence of the Spirit and lead them toward faith. Not everyone with
singing ability has the supernatural gift of vocal singing, but those who
have been given this spiritual gift have a special motivation to make sounds
that please God and bring joy to others.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
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When you sing, do you truly feel the presence of
God?
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Do you see your ability to sing as your means of
sharing God with others?
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Do others see the significance of God in your
life through your singing?
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Have others been led to a new understanding of
their own faith through your singing?
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Do you sense a gifted power and ease in singing
that at times seems to transcend your own capabilities?
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Were your talents in singing evident even at an
early age?
Areas for study and personal growth:
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Singing ability can be enhanced with vocal training
to improve such things as breath control, pitch and timing. Consider
voice lessons to help you develop your talent fully.
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Opportunities to sing within the church are varied,
and your gift may be needed for both choral and solo pieces. Train
for appropriate vocal deliveries for the type of singing required
- learn how best to blend your voice with singing partners in choral
situations and how to project your voice fully when singing solo.
-
Come to understand the nature of your gift and
how it appears to be utilized for best effect. Strengthen the tie
between your singing and your prayer life so that it becomes always
an act of prayer for the glory of God. Meditate on why you have
been given this gift, and seek to use it in ways you believe fulfill
its purpose in you.
-
Listen to the recorded voices of well-known spiritual
singers, not to emulate them, but to witness what they bring forth
from their hearts. Read autobiographies of these people.
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There are many references to song and singing
in scripture, especially in the Psalms. Spend time internalizing
the Psalms so that they become etched in your heart and a ready
source for inspiration to sing always to the Lord in praise.
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Begin gathering a music library of spiritual songs
that you know and can sing from memory. Use this repertoire as
a source to inspire others to sing in praise to God. Organize evening “sings” at
church or at home where fellow members of the congregation can
gather to sing favorite songs of praise.
General ways to use the gift of music/vocal:
-
Personally: help family and friends lift their
voices in song
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Within the church: join the choir; be a music leader
(see more specific church service opportunities in the Booklet Channels
for Using the Gifts).
-
Within the wider community: sing in area vocal
group for performances of religious works.
For reflection:
Clearly music pleases God for he gave the ability to sing to many of his
creatures, each in unique ways. He gave us many soothing sounds - surf, crackling
fire, gentle breezes whistling through treetops, and raindrops in all manner
of delivery. Evenings filled with chords of crickets or frogs across the
lake offer a serenade of perfect harmony to suggest a peaceful order in nature.
To the many birds he gave the joy of song from their perches high above.
Higher still angel choirs sing unending praise to God. God’s creation
is one filled with music - he designed it that way.
It is said that “he who sings, prays twice.” It is true that
a prayer lifted in song seems to fly off heavenward in a way that touches
the heart more deeply that mere utterance. When we sing, we cannot harbor
anger, malice, or hatred - the act of singing so fills the heart that it
is sanctified, with no room left for anything made out of darkness. When
we sing together, a sense of community begins immediately to be felt. It
is easy to see why God gave us song in our lives.
Your spiritual gift of singing is surely related to the gift given to members
of God’s angel choirs. Their singing is pure and sacred and full of
joy. Your singing, too, when delivered in praise from the heart will approach
that quality. When you sing, you are in the company of angels. God gave you
the beauty in your voice, but lovelier still for those of us that listen,
is the presence of God we feel when you sing.
Be joyful in God, all you lands;
Sing the glory of his Name;
Sing the glory of his praise.
From Jubilate Deo (Psalm 66)
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