What Are We Feeding Them?

I sat next to a little boy of about 7 at the rescue mission. He had a pale, pixie-shaped little face framed by masses of curly hair. His hands were thin and needed washing, and he wore a girl’s short-sleeved filthy white shirt. It was cold that evening. His mother and brother sat behind us, laughing together as they mocked individual teens from the home school choir performing for them. One time he turned around to face them, and his mother’s voice spat at him,

“You turn around. You’re worthless!”

The few times I gently spoke to him, he startled as though afraid of being hit.
As I’ve prayed for him and his family, I’ve been pondering what makes people stay in abusive situations. He has no choice, of course, as young as he is, but I wonder if there is more abuse there; perhaps a father or the mother’s husband or a boyfriend.

A day or so later in my morning devotions, I came across Proverbs 27:7--
“He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.”

I think that’s the key. To a little boy craving attention, or a young woman desperately wanting to be loved, even what is hurtful will be better than nothing.

Which brings me to my point. An important part of our job as a choir is to feed Jesus’s sheep, as Peter was told to do. All around us are people running on empty in some way. Some of us minister in areas full of young boys needing a little soap and water and a lot of love and acceptance. Others minister to people who appear to need nothing, but inside might be crying out for love and acceptance, for someone to care whether they warm a spot in a pew or not. People who would like to know they have worth, they are needed.

What are we feeding the flock? Look at the lyrics of the pieces you’re learning. Yes, they should praise, worship, and glorify our wonderful God. But let’s also mix in the songs that will minister to the needs of our congregations. Tell them He loves them. Sing His Word to them. Tell them He rejoices over them with singing! (Zeph. 3:17)

Let’s make it our goal to fill our people so full they won’t even want honey.

Do you have suggestions for great choir pieces that minister to the congregation? Let us know!