why sing

"As long as we live, there is never enough singing."
-- Martin Luther

September might drive me over the edge. The edge of what, I don't know, but an edge. Somewhere, an edge.

Research has shown that anxiety and stress are decreased in a person who sings, though, so I should be grateful that a few hours of my week are devoted to singing, yes?

Whether a person sings on key or not (surprising as it may be), they are releasing endorphins, breathing deeply, and increasing blood circulation and oxygen flow.

Psychologically, choral singers in particular are concentrating on music and technique, rather than worldly trappings; learning something new and thereby engaging their brain; and functioning as a team, where commitment and community create a supportive environment.

We know music is powerful. People lose their minds to attend the concert of a beloved band. Some give their lives to work in music therapy. Retirement homes host sing-a-longs for their residents. Songs move hearts in ways that the spoken word can't.

But singing. What was God thinking when he instituted the gift of song?

I have a smart worship pastor who shared these insights on the subject:

In Colossians, the third chapter gives specific rules for holy living. Paul exhorts the church at Colosse to let the word of Christ dwell in [them] richly as [they] teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as [they] sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude to God (v. 16).

In other words, their singing was the outpouring of the Spirit in their hearts.

Ephesians 5 also gives guidelines for living in the light of salvation: And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but 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, giving thanks always ... (v. 18-20).

Again, being filled with the Spirit precedes singing to and for one another, and the Lord.

I've always believed music was a universal language, through which some people communicate even more naturally than their native tongue.

But singing.

Singing is a physical demonstration of a spiritual movement, and one to which believers are commissioned. It's evidence of the Spirit that fills them, it connects the members of the Body, and it's always attached to a thankful heart toward our Creator.

Now that's something to sing about!