And Everywhere That Mary Went . . . I Mean, Auntie . . .

For several years I worked in the ministry with a dear friend who once shared that she had always lamented not being in the music ministry. She had a sincere longing to bless God's people through music. Then the Lord brought her up short.

Many are not aware of various essential behind-the-scenes work necessary for an effective ministry--including the very ordinary "drudgery" of feeding workers and visiting ministers. It's not "romantic," it's not up front where everyone can see you and take notice, it's definitely not something that is given much recognition--but it's an indispensable part of ministry. While we are on this earth, no matter how spiritual we might be or how enthralled in God's work we are . . . we will have to participate in the mundane act of feeding our body. So the Holy Spirit asked my friend, "Now, when those ministers finish their work and come to the house hungry and ready to eat, do you think that they will appreciate your belting out a song instead of satisfying their belly?" And, just like that, the Lord showed my friend how important her invisible, unrecognized service to the Lord is. Some sing. Some feed the singers. But the singers cannot sing without the feeders! Whether "up front" and "recognized" or not, we are all important to the Lord!

Having myself been called to ministries of service that are mostly behind the scenes, I appreciated this reminder that all of God's children are important: no matter how "insignificant" their role, the body of Christ could not function without the input of each and every one. What I couldn't identify with was my friend's desire to minister through song. I had absolutely no desire, not even the slightest hankering, to lean towards such a ministry.

Until this year.

This year sees my husband and me transplanted to a church that is redolent with singing ministry. Specials abound. Singers abound. And the congregation eats it up. And, seeing the blessing it is to the listeners, for the first time ever in this sexagenarian's life . . . she wishes she could sing.

But God. He loves us so much . . . Despite my all-too-carnal propensity to sink swiftly into pity parties of draconian proportions, He remains thoughtful and kind--and doesn't leave me to wallow in the mud too long. Just as He knew exactly what to tell my friend to drag her out of the doldrums, He knew exactly what to minister to me to rescue me from the tentacles of jealousy that had begun to wrap themselves around all-too-willing-to-let-them me. He reminded me of Auntie Trinie and her "misionero," her little grey Datsun, and how we used to traipse all over Mexico in it. And everywhere that Auntie went . . . she sang. We literally sang our way across the beautiful valleys and mountains of the land God had called us to.

The singing encompassed so, so many benefits! It was an absolutely lovely--not to mention painless--way to polish my Spanish and learn hymns and choruses in that language. But the best, best, BEST part of the singing was that it not only helped pass what would have otherwise been tedious time in a fun way, but it inundated that little car with the very presence of God! It wouldn't surprise me in the least if someone looking down from a spaceship could have seen a little glow light moving all around Mexico, that car was so chock-full of the Spirit of God!

Although ashamed to own it, I must confess to a Pauline tendency to "kick against the pricks." "It's a beautiful memory, Lord," I was quick to respond, "but even when I was young my vocal chords weren't up to snuff--and now, decades later, what feeble proficiency they once boasted of has declined so much!"

It was then that I heard the Lord speak into my spirit, "Haven't I said, 'Make a joyful noise unto the Lord?'"

Ah! my spirit responded. So that l is why that verse in Psalm 100 is there--for such a time as this. My singing isn't as smooth and pretty as it once was, but the Lord never said, "Only polished voices need sing!" No, He said, "Sing. Even if your voice squawks out like a bull frog's. Even if it sounds like mere noise to others." In God's eyes, the focus of singing lies in the answer to the question: for Whom do we sing? For others? Or for God? God does not long for us to entertain men, even though that has its place, as much as for our singing to rise to the Heavens as worship.

It is true that music brings down the presence of God, Elisha called for a musician to "plow his spirit," so to speak, in order to hear what God had to say (2 Kings 3:15). David, "a man after God's own heart, wrote at least 73 of the psalms in the Bible, if not more. Music and worship go hand in hand with the presence of God. There is a special blessing on those who minister in the realm of music.

However, if our singing is to be worship, it must be focused on our Lord--not the hearers. The excellence of our voice's execution is not in the finesse of its components , but in the spirit with which it is offered. What in the natural is fraught with error, to God is a most welcome sound, when offered with a worshipful heart.

Remember what God told Samuel when He was looking for the next king to replace Saul? "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature . . . for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (I Samuel 16:7).

My voice might not be soloist worthy, but if all my springs are in Him (Psalms 87:7), I have pleased the most important person--God.

There are 400 places in the scriptures where we find the word "sing" and at least 50 are commands, some even in the New Testament! So it's back to basics for me. I stand corrected. Forget the wishful yearning to amaze the church's congregants with a concert hall voice! Who needs the adulation or approval of the madding crowd? I will worship the Lord, seek to please Him, and bask in His presence!

Everywhere that Mary went, the nursery rhyme goes, the lamb was sure to go. Everywhere that Auntie went, praise was sure to go. And in that praise, was the very presence of the greatest Lamb of all, the Lamb of God! That's what I want!

"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. " (Psalm 22:3)