One of my favorite things to do with my brother is when one of us starts singing something and the other finishes it…or even better both of us continuing singing at the top of our lungs. And please, know neither of us is the ‘quiet’ type.

My nephew HATES this and usually will cover his ears and scream “Stooooooop doing that!” I wish I could say we do it just to annoy the toddler, but my brother and I have been doing this since my brother was a kid.

A few months ago, we were raucously singing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ and my nephew threw himself face first into the couch to get away from it. I know we will win him over eventually. He actually started singing something with me a few weeks ago, so he is growing into it.

The thing about singing is the community aspect of it. On Sack Lunch Social today, there was a lot of talk of songs we worship to on our own and what we prefer. But even alone, when we sing we are not reallllllly alone.

Somewhere in my crazy imagination, there is an entire chorus singing along with me. That is what the Holy Spirit does in those moments, uniting us in the Spirit.

And no, I’m not even just talking about worship music or hymns. I’ve had a plethora of Holy moments with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ I once convinced all of my high school mission trippers that the first song after lunch should ALWAYS be ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ Every single one of those moments could be counted among the most holy moments I’ve been honored to sing in.

I’m also known to blast the music in my car and sing at the top of my lungs…with all the windows down and the wind blowing through my hair. Those moments to sing definitely make me feel engulfed with community and the Holy Spirit.

But friends, if you have not had the honor to sing with a congregation that is not your color, language or culture…you are missing out on a piece of the Kingdom that would bless you. There is something very pure in the Spirit that happens. The veil we typically keep up between us and God comes crashing to the floor. As I am remembering a lot of those beautiful Sunday mornings with my Haitian friends, I am aching to be with them again.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” [Revelation 7:9-12, ESV]

Could you imagine singing in front of God and worshipping him…AT HIS FEET?!?!

While that multitude had the privilege of being in front of the throne in these verses, friends, we are at the foot of the throne every single time we utter a noise to praise God. It doesn’t have to be a moment to sing. You don’t even have to have a good voice. It definitely doesn’t have to be in a church building. Every single time your posture reflects praise back to God…he receives it.