Whose Voice is It, Anyway?

By Carol Ann Forgas

God gives every single one of us a very specific talent – one that, I believe, should be used to return praises to Him – so that all may hear and learn of Him.  I have said many times that my voice is just a voice on loan.

I wish I could say I have always understood this but it was only when studying the Bible – specifically Colossians 3:16 — that I realized singing stands alongside of preaching as one of the two great ways that God has ordained for His Word to dwell RICHLY in each one of us!  That was an “Aha” moment for me!

Well, I certainly have never thought of myself as any kind of preacher!!  But, it got me thinking about the “why” of my God-provided talent.  It was through no work of my own that I possessed a singing voice that others seemed to enjoy.  However, I was told – as a young singer with a bit of an ego (ouch) – that I had a responsibility to care for this gift.  The voice was given to me not for my own enjoyment, but that I would use it to speak to others…just as God spoke to me through my music!  What?!?!?  Wow!  Well, so it started.  I began to realize God’s Word as I analyzed the texts of my songs – no longer did I just practice notes and rhythms.  What an amazing opportunity to grow richly in the roots of the Word of God, and then to share it with others!

When people are gracious enough to compliment a particular performance or song, I am incredibly humbled. When I think that someone may have heard God’s message though my music….my voice…I then remember that

it is through God that I have the ability,

my voice is God’s personal gift to me,

a voice to help others in their time of need.

What an amazing trust He has provided in loaning me this instrument.

So, it doesn’t matter if you have the “gift” of singing – just SING!  You know….it’s really impossible to be angry and upset when you’re singing praises to God!  Really!!  The words, the melody, the JOY– simply chase all the bad away!  If you need to sing all day – SING!  When others hear that joy, just remember whose voice it really is!