“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4,5 (NIV)
I really enjoy listening to Christian singing groups, particularly those who sing acapella. Solos can be beautiful and stirring, but there is something about the dynamic of groups singing harmony that touches my heart. I enjoy trying to figure out who is singing which part, but sometimes it is not easy to do because the blend is so beautiful. It takes close listening and close watching of expressions and mouth movements to know who is who. I spent a long time listening to several groups the other day and was greatly blessed by them.
To be effective as an acapella singing group, each singer must put as much effort in listening as he/she does in singing. If a singer cannot hear the other voices, chances are that his/her voice may be dominant, disturbing the overall blend. Even when singing a solo with the rest providing background, the soloist must listen to the others to make sure that the total sound is the best it can be. The word “harmony” even has a pleasant sound. Webster’s New World dictionary defines “harmony” as “a combination of parts into a pleasing or orderly whole.” That certainly describes my favorite, which is four-part harmony. Successful quartets are known by the group name without undue emphasis on any one singer. The group is know as a group not four individuals. It seems that harmony takes effort. Even though some members of a quartet may have an easier time finding the correct or good sounding harmony for his/her part, he/she needs to work with all the other members to be sure that the overall sound is harmonious.
After I had spent a long time listening to acapella quartets, the following words came to my mind. I take them as a word from the Lord: “Harmony that is shown in music is the harmony I want throughout my Church and in each individual church. Stop fighting each other! When you sing harmony, you listen for the other voices so that you know you blend and give the best sound. Just be sure that you, as a church, are singing a song that you know I would like and enjoy.” I believe that the harmonious song that God wants to hear is based on the knowledge of the deity of Jesus Christ and His value as Messiah and Savior with the harmony provided by the Holy Scriptures. If I am speaking things that are not supported by the Word of God, or if I am making derogatory statements about other Christian churches whose day-to-day operations aren’t the same as those of my church or who may interpret some portion of scripture differently from what my church does, then I am not in harmony and my song is not pleasing to God. Lord, help me to listen to my brothers and hear their hearts before I criticize them. Lord, help me to be part of the harmony that pleases you.
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