Last Sunday during our prayer devotional. I had the absolute pleasure of sitting with the Windsor family…. Full, unashamed singing. My kids, their kids… hearts full of praise. It didn’t matter what song was selected or who was leading it. It didn’t matter what they sounded like (although it was beautiful nonetheless). This week at VBS, it will be the same thing—children who are ecstatic and overjoyed to be singing. My hope is that we create a memory where these young people can reflect on a time they were enthralled to be surrounded by people who want to worship Jesus.
I have spent my fair share of time at summer camps, and it is the same thing: masses of young people who are unashamedly praising God. Every camp is the same; the first few days, kids don’t know exactly what the expectations are for the times of singing. Everyone sings a little softer (perhaps worried their voice might crack at an inopportune time). Still, by Wednesday, and definitely Thursday, the vocal cords have been unleashed, and everyone is singing fully.
I have contemplated why this happens. Two things come into play- the first is that expectations are unclear; the other is that there is a little shame in revealing yourself in an action like singing. However, as the week progresses, the campers recognize that they are not only expected to sing, but to sing loudly; and that worshiping God is nothing to be ashamed about. You stop caring what other people think… and you start worshipping because it is the best thing to do.
In Psalm 71, the psalmist recognizes this reality and champions the expectation, as well as the honor that comes from devotion to God.
Psalm 16:8-9 “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”
Psalm 71:23-24 “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. 24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.”
Our whole being rejoices! We are not holding anything back. Our hearts are glad, our tongues never cease declaring the goodness of God. This is the ideal situation for all of us… However, something happens to us as adults: either we become more ashamed of our singing, or we forget the convictions are for us to worship with our whole being. We sing a little softer; we become a little more reserved. Certainly, there are opportunities to be contemplative and thoughtful; we should not neglect the dignity of these pensive moments. We should also not forget what it means to worship God with our whole heart and unashamedly.