"O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth." -- Psalm 96:1
I love to sing, but I'm not gifted in that way. So most of my singing is done in private before an Audience of One. I recently came across a teaching done by Jake Hamilton called "Revelation through Meditation" that has absolutely rocked my world and set me free in song!
Jake encourages us to make up new songs using verses from the Bible. He says, "SING IT [scripture]. Not word for word. Make up your own song using any verse." He goes on to say, "I know what you're thinking; you're thinking, 'well, I don't sing.' Even better! You know why that's even better? Because it doesn't cost you anything to sing a song because you know you can sing. When you sing, and you don't know how to sing, it becomes a sacrifice only you can give to God. And it's not a song you sing in your heart. Stand up and begin to sing to the Lord. Sing to him a new song!"
Remember, when Jesus sent out the disciples, he didn't divide tasks by skill (all singers sing, teachers teach, etc.), he said everyone do everything!
And this is the part I absolutely love! He says:
“If you begin this discipline of singing new songs from scripture, a year from now, you’ll have hundreds of songs that only you and God know. Have you ever heard anybody talk about a secret history with God? You’re building one. You won’t even remember the song tomorrow, but guess Who will? You’re gonna get to heaven one day, and God’s gonna say to you, ‘I loved your song about John 3:16.’ And you’re gonna say, 'how did that go again?’ And He’s gonna remember it. And you’re gonna have hundreds and thousands of little songs just like a child sings.”
Today's prayer: "God, I love how you put music in all of us, and it doesn't matter if we can harmonize or sing in tune. You love to hear your children sing! As a mother, I know I smiled every time I overhead one of my children making up songs and singing them with their whole heart. Most times they were completely unaware that I was even listening. Thank you for keeping track of all the songs in my heart. Let's sing tonight!"
