Why Bother?

By Maria Scharrer

I heard this question the other night. Why bother? It can be asked about many things in our daily Christian walk. Why bother ....... to attend church each Sunday? ........ to tithe?........ to concern ourselves with the plight of the poor? ......... to weep for the sick and the dying? Why bother? Why do I bother to spend my time on Thursday night in choir practice? And why do I sit in the choir loft on Sunday morning?

I would like to be able to tell you what a saint I am; how I'm sacrificing my time and energies, but I can't. I love to sing! Now I guess that would lead you to believe that I'm a great talent in the singing department, but sadly that's not true either. I can carry a tune without benefit of a basket. After that, it's in God's hands to make what He will of my joyful noise. Our Lord doesn't ask us to be the best; he asks us to be willing to serve Him.

What I get from singing in the choir goes so far beyond what I give, that on balance, I'm taking advantage of this serving business. I belong to a group of people who all share a vision of reaching the hearts of people for Christ (believers and non-believers). We all know that music reaches a basic, common thread that runs through the heart and soul of everyone in every culture. It is understood by and influences rich and poor, old and young, illiterate and educated, sinner and saint alike. With beautiful music and gracious words of faith we strive to serve God by calling people to walk (or have a closer walk) with Christ. I belong to a small group of faithful people and I get to sing!

There's been more than one Thursday night when I was simply beat. Just let me lie down on my sofa, turn on the TV and veg out. Oh, that's right, I can't. I have to go to choir practice. Bummer? No! Without fail, on those nights, I thank the Holy Spirit for pushing me off that sofa and into the car to drive to Central. By mid-point of rehearsal (and often even earlier), I am refreshed, renewed and smiling from my heart because I have this privilege of praising our Lord in song. How such a little talent put to work, not buried in the ground, can bring joy and refreshment to both the one who uses it and those who receive it is one of God's great miracles.