The church choirs then, without microphones and other electronic instruments, were harmonious and synchronized.Everyone sang the same song in the same spirit.
These days, however, it seems that the spirits have left the choirs – and so have singers.The few who are left have vocal chords that refuse to reach elevated notes; and consequently, I have heard a version of “Amazing Grace” that could have easily awaken the dead.Those who sang this version each wanted to be at the forefront of the choir and clearly made their voices heard.Then at the end of the song, a long grumbling, almost festive in nature and tuned to a key designed to unlock restrained but wholly destructive yet self-preserving emotions, ensued among the choir members.The grumbling progressed until the end of the church meeting.From then on, more colorful words were used effectively and as the grumbling moved outside the church, more and more visibly descriptive words were heard – and occasionally a few unapproved gestures were thrown in.
I was, for lack of a more appropriate word, amazed and at the same time perplexed.How is it possible that most of the churches profess the same faith and yet sing different tunes?If it really is principles that matters, then why are there so many differences in the way things are approached and interpreted?
I have seen and witnessed avid church goers – inclusive of all Christian denominations in Palau – give 10% of their earnings to the church and yet refuse to give a nickel to the men who peddle outside the grocery stores.I have seen Christians sing “Alleluia” in church on Sunday morning; and then in the afternoon, say, “I am not your mother” to the men who peddle outside the grocery stores.On more than a few occasions, more precise and degrading words have been heard uttered by individuals who just recently quoted: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Someone very dear to me said, “We are only human and we are expected to make mistakes” and therefore I should not question how God works.
I am not questioning God’s work.I am questioning how you work and how you sing.I know undesirable and sometimes-acceptable forces prune human beings to make unnecessary mistakes. However, I really believe that as people of faith who profess principles that have guided great kings and leaders for ages to lead mankind out of misery, sometimes choose to pretend “to see no one, do no good.”And in those rare moments when others actually see them or hear of their deeds, the choir goes out of tune; and on that note, no one wants to sing in praise.
I hope to someday sing a song with you to give a little praise in honor of all the good that we have received.
Further still, I hope that you and I would walk out of the churches on any day of the week prepared to give .001% of what we have to those among us who are unnoticed until they extend a hand for charity.Please pray for them, but do something as well!
