When you stop and think about it, almost all key events in our lives have some musical tradition. From Christmas to Easter, Weddings to Funerals, there are songs that come to mind. As we raise our voices in song, we are expressing our great love of our God for his presence and action in our lives. Think of what your favorite hymn is, and why you like it. I would expect that in some way it reminds you of something that you appreciate about the love of God in your life.
Have you ever had a song that gets stuck in your mind, that you just cannot stop humming, or singing? The words become like a seed that grows within us. It may impact us even more than we recognize, as those words come back to us when we are under stress or are gathered to rejoice. How often we sing Amazing Grace at a funeral, or perhaps even play it on the bagpipes and reflect on the grace of God that allows us to come into his Kingdom by his deep love for us. Or we baptize a child and sing “Children of the Heavenly Father”. What beautiful vines grow from the seeds of those hymns.
Singing not only blesses us when we celebrate, but it also serves to bring comfort and strength in times of hardship or stress. The most familiar “Luther Hymn” for us is likely “A Mighty Fortress” written by Martin Luther. As we sing it, a sense of strength and hope comes to us. We are surrounded and protected by the presence of our God. In Acts 16:25 it says, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and prisoners were listening to them.” What a witness to the comfort found in singing. Singing brought the presence and reassurance of Christ into even a place of such despair and captivity. And it has the power to do the same for us.
Many of the hymns we sing hold specific passages of scripture within their lyrics. A classic well-known example is the hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd”. A complete echo of the words of Psalm 23. It is a form that can teach all of us, from the very young to the very aged, scripture. In our singing, we create a lasting memory of words that can encourage us in our lives. How often I will sing “Jesus Loves Me” as I sit with someone of any age, who’s life is drawing to a close. And they will often join in and sing softly along with me. The seeds grow in amazing ways!