Audience of One

A month or so ago, a gentleman sang a solo at my church.  It lyrics were moving and the melody was beautiful.  From PURELY a musical stand point, it didn't really sound the best I've every heard.  Notes were missed, timing was off.  But MAN was it moving.  That man left his heart at the feet of Jesus for all to see.  He sang like no one but the Lord was listening.

Last week I sang a song at church.  I had a horrible soar throat and I couldn't even talk when I had gotten up that morning.  But my voice came back (sort of).  I stood before the congregation and for a moment I felt unqualified to sing that morning.  The song I had chosen wasn't really in a key I was super comfortable with.  I actually had to sing it in a lower key then i had been practicing in because there was no way my voice was going to go that high nicely.  Talking hurt, forget singing and I didn't want to sound bad.

But sound bad to whom?  myself?  I already knew that I wouldn't be singing up to my standard.  The congregation?  except for those who happen to sit near me, no one had really heard me sing - not even the Pastors.

Then I thought of the man.  He probably knew that he didn't sound like he once used to.  He knew that he probably wouldn't hit every note.  But the beauty was that he didn't really seem to care.  He was singing for only an audience of One.

So I told my foolish pride to get lost.  I pretended that no one was watching me, that I was standing just before God and I sang Him a song - How Beautiful - and that's all that mattered.  I missed a few notes I'm sure, and I missed the timing in one spot.  But none of that mattered.   I know that by being humble, that by saying "here I am, take me as you find me, all y fear, failures, sin and use me to show Your glory" that that is exactly what He did.