Written by Naomi Mengel
I didn’t realize how well my parents could hear me singing in the shower from the living room downstairs, where they’d sit in the evenings to talk or watch the football game. I thought it was just me, myself and my voice, and that’s how I wanted it.
Every evening was a different concert set. I’d go for a Disney theme, or maybe some gospel music, some of my favorite hymns, a bit of pop or a few show tunes. I was Belle, I was Éponine, I was Celine Dion. I could sing my heart out, and no one would judge me.
Then one day, my dad told me he liked to hear me sing in the shower. I was immediately embarrassed.
Confession time: I love singing, but it’s not something I’m incredibly good at. Sure, I can carry a tune, but I’ve always wished I could really sing. I fell prey to the cultural stigma that I thought would come with trying to sing in public without already possessing a fabulous voice.
So I practiced in the shower, where I thought no one could hear me.
Christians are commanded to sing. The psalmist writes, “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 96:1) Scripture contains a myriad of examples of godly men and women carrying out this commandment: David’s praises and laments are preserved for us in the psalms, and the disciples sang a hymn with Jesus on the night before his crucifixion. Singing isn’t limited to times when we feel joy. In particular, I have found that singing hymns in times of grief helps me to process my emotions in light of God’s goodness and grace.
The very act of singing acknowledges the work of God. It draws from the divine harmonies of creation, echoing the music of the spheres and the beautiful mathematical ratios that He has woven throughout His handiwork. When I hear a precise dissonance melt into a perfect resolution, I am reminded of Christ’s redemptive work in bringing our souls into harmony with Him. When a melody soars into a higher key as it nears a grand climax, I think of being borne up Jacob’s ladder as the angel chorus resounds. There’s something intensely personal about singing, because we get to taste these cosmic mysteries in our own mouths as we form each note. We can pour forth our gratitude to God Who, in His infinite glory, gave us a way to express our praise at all times, in all places. Our voices are literal “instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13).
I know that I shouldn’t hide the voice God gave me behind a shower curtain. I still haven’t completely defeated that little nagging voice that tells me to worry about what others will say when they hear my far-from-perfect voice. But I have no excuse to remain silent when God has created me for the very purpose of singing His praises.
So put yourself out there and sing. Be vulnerable, but be confident. Let your voice be heard. Sing out, because ultimately, it doesn’t matter how your voice compares to society’s standards. Singing is an act of worship, and in the end, God’s judgment is the only judgment that matters. Sing in church, sing in the shower, sing with friends. The shower is just practice.
