I had the privilege as a high school and college student to participate in choir and small ensembles… even got to participate in All State Choir. I learned a lot from those experiences… many of the lessons I learned were life lessons!
I learned the importance of intonation. I learned the importance of supporting vocalization with correct breathing. I learned the importance of tonal location within my mouth to achieve maximum vocal projection and quality. I learned to manage and limit my personal vibrato when singing in an ensemble to achieve harmony within the group… just a few of the lessons I learned.
I still thrill to hear a beautiful unison in which it seems the vocal ensemble is singing with “one voice!” And it even gets better when they split into a beautiful harmony and sustain the “one voice” effect… No voice dominating the other, vibrato limited, tonal perfection, acappella heaven! Whenever I hear it, it makes my skin crawl! Love it!!! But it takes self-control… the management of individual ability to achieve total harmonic effect and beauty!
Spiritually, that is what Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, urged believers to practice in a local church! He said, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves! Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up. Christ did not please Himself! … May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live IN SUCH HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER, in accord with Christ Jesus [our director], THAT TOGETHER you may WITH ONE VOICE glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (from Romans 15:1-7)
Just let me say, when that happens in a local church it is a powerful thing! It is a beautiful thing! The spiritual impact within a community (even on a broader scale – the whole world) is incredible! Christ is honored, the gospel is furthered, and multitudes come to know Christ and are discipled to be like Him! But it takes self-management, the limitation of selfish expression, and a personal and mutual commitment to the common good in order to achieve it! Oh may we do it! May we be in “such harmony with one another that together, WITH ONE VOICE, WE GLORIFY the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” It’ll be awesome!
Freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing! We are not under “Law” but under God’s grace in Christ! But grace must never be used as an excuse for sinning! (Romans 6:15) And the freedom I have in Christ must never be used to excuse inconsiderate behavior that might damage or offend a fellow Christian or leads them back into sin! Spiritual maturity and Christian love demands that of me!
