Mike’s Musings …
“If You’ve Got Time to Breathe, You’ve Got Time for Music”
That’s a line from an old Andy Griffith Show, when Mr. Darling wanted Andy to join his boys in a bluegrass song. Seemed in those old shows, they always had time for singing good songs. Even Earnest T. Bass had time to express himself in what he called “singin’.” Most of the songs on Andy’s show were either bluegrass or silly songs, but at times, we heard very somber songs. Regardless, “if you had time to breathe, you had time to sing.”
James says, “Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:17) Merriment promotes joyfulness, and singing is an indication of being merry! “Sing and Be Happy” is a song we often sing. In fact, I’ve heard it sung at funerals in celebration of what we believe is the deceased’s victory in Jesus! It isn’t just in worship services that our hearts can sing with merriment. It’s a joy to me to hear my wife singing in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in her kitchen. She’s happy, and she doesn’t care who knows it.
As a child, did you ever hang your head out of the window and sing while your parents were driving? I remember doing that once, and after quite some time, Mom or Dad finally got my attention and said, “If you’ll get your head back in here, we’ll all join you!” Singing is a marvelous way of cheering yourself, and sometimes, others!
Singing is one part of worshipping in which all can participate. Children and adults, and even those who are not members of the Lord’s kingdom, can blend their voices in song as we teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16). Singing encourages us, calms us, and comforts us. In worship, it should never be considered “entertainment,” albeit we can and should enjoy praising God in song. Indeed, if there’s time for breathing, there’s time for singing.
Let’s appreciate the melody of our hearts and express it verbally in song (Ephesians 5:19). I muse on the several blessings God provides us, and singing is among those blessings! Lift your voices and praise Him! We’re breathin’ … let’s start singin’!