I love to sing - in the shower, in the kitchen…, but especially in my car. My car is what I like to call my sanctuary. I am alone in my own little mobile capsule and don't have to worry about what others hear or see because usually they can't see through my windshield or are moving so fast they couldn't make it out anyway. With the warmer weather however, I've been keeping my windows open as my car lacks air-conditioning. Several days ago, I was just really wailing on this one song and stopped at a traffic light, making sure to not be even with the open windows of the nearby cars. I had just reached the highest note of the song I was singing, rather badly I'll admit, when I looked over at the car next to me and realized I had an audience - a rather young and very amused audience at that. They pointed and laughed at me and made silly looking opera poses for each other, mocking me. I lowered my voice a little and finished my song a little waveringly.
I'll admit, I got a little upset. Here I was trying to enjoy the gift God gave me and these kids were making fun of it. My passenger side window was rolled down and they could see and hear me very clearly. I turned my face toward them and lifted my sunglasses, giving the kids a challenging look. They saw me, closed the window, and shrank down in the seat. I thought that was the end and just as I was just about to start a new song, I looked over and saw again their mocking gestures. I looked right at them and smiled, so tempted to just scream, "Let's see how glamorous you look singing your own songs in traffic!" But something else took over.
I realized how very funny I must've looked (and sounded) to them and that I would probably be at least thinking the things they were doing. So I once again smiled at them and flourished my own opera pose right there at the stoplight. We all laughed together then. It evened the field somewhat between joking preteens and a post-college working woman. We all smiled at each other, and then rolled our windows back up to wait for the light to change.
Looking back, I thank God that He encouraged me to have a more gracious reaction than to scream at those kids. I was reminded of that verse where Paul says we are a "peculiar people for the Lord." I'm sure those kids would agree I looked peculiar alone in my car with my mouth wide open belting out some strange song about God in an off-key voice. I was brought to the shocking reality that I was being watched, even when I thought I was completely alone and had made an effort to put myself where I thought no one could hear me.
It's so true, though. We are being watched by the world. They see something different and "peculiar" about us that make them curious. We are so tempted to "conform to this world" (Rom12:1-2) so we can fit in and be accepted on its terms. As scintillating as that is, it doesn't really bring any lasting happiness. "While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." – 2 Corinthians 4:18
We know from God's Word that only what's done for Him will last. Everything else will be tried and only what was done for Him will last eternally. This is our witness. This is our job - to testify to that truth. If we do not act differently from the world, how will anyone know that what we have is better?
I like the quote from Brennan Manning DC Talk uses on their album Jesus Freak:
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
Don't melt into the crowd. Dare to be different. Dare to belt out worship songs at the top of your lungs in traffic. Sure you'll get a lot of strange looks, but later they'll be smiling. They'll notice quite a difference in that one who isn't afraid to be themselves and let whatever is in them be heard."Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" – Psalm 98:4
Even the psalmist David understood not everything that came out of his voice box would sound great. Yet he wrote this for everyone to read. It's included in the Bible because it's important and pleasing to God. He wants us to sing, loudly, badly even, but SING!!! If it's full of praise and love for Him, He wants it.
Believe it or not, it can even gain the respect from those around us. I've had people come up to me and tell me that they've noticed a difference in me and want to know what it is. What an opportunity! We are, after all, the "salt of the earth." - Matthew 5:13. The phrase I like to use is "I come with my own spices!" Is the world going to see that and want that? Are you willing give them the chance to see what an amazing change and energy Christ can bring into their lives? Like Nike, "Just Do It!"
Peace out and sing loudly!
Vanessa ;)
