Singing the Light - Martin Wiles

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Psalm100:1-2 NKJV

She sauntered over to our table and asked my wife, “Can you sing?”

My wife and I were on a weekend trip to visit a church where I would preach Homecoming. The distance required staying in a hotel in a nearby town—one that served hot continental breakfasts.

As we made our way down Sunday morning to eat, we met Alice, one of the breakfast attendants. She greeted my wife with, “Honey, your hair looks sooooo good.”

My wife laughed, thanked her, and fixed her breakfast. When we had finished our meal, Alice slid over and quietly asked my wife if she could sing. Then she said, “Sing something, and I’ll sing with you.” Before I knew it, they were singing, “I’ll Fly Away.”

Soon, Alice had retrieved a song on her phone from YouTube. She sang along with the artist, harmonizing beautifully. For the next five minutes. I felt the tension rise along my spine. I wondered if the manager who stood nearby in the next room would fire her. I wondered if a patron might speak up and ask her to be quiet. One had huffed, rose, threw his plate away, and walked out.

Alice didn’t care. She sang her heart out and continued her joyful morning routine. Much as the psalmist must have when he told others to make a joyful noise to the Lord, to serve Him with gladness, and to enter His presence with singing. Exactly what Alice was doing.

Alice sang her light and encouraged others to do so also. The same thing Jesus did when He preached His Sermon on the Mount and challenged the people to let their lights shine. Lights hidden under something defeated the purpose of lighting them.

Alice sang without shame. Her husband was incarcerated, but she didn’t let that dampen her spirit. She joyfully sang to her Lord and encouraged us—and anyone else—to join her.

And Alice sang regardless of opposition. She may have later been reprimanded—or fired. I’ll never know. She may have offended more than the one person who left the room. Somehow, I don’t think Alice cared. She sang her light and would continue to do so—whether at the hotel or somewhere else.

Alice’s actions convicted me. Perhaps they do you, too. So go ahead and sing your song for Christ—regardless of where you are and despite others reactions.

Tweetable: Whose praises are you singing?

Prayer: Father, place a song in our hearts that we can’t help but share with others.

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