Never Stop Singing - For That is What You Were Made To Do

Truth be told, I don't have a pretty voice. I am not the crooner in our family. Nope, not a rock star when it comes to singing either.  I think I sound more like a medium sized dog attempting to carry a tune.  

For those who have heard me sing, you may be scratching your head and think that I just paid myself to much of a compliment.  No worries - I telling you what I hear in my own head when I sing.  Let's just say that people in front of me at church will turn around sometimes while we are singing.  They politely smile and nod and then slowly turn back to the front.  All as if to say "Someone needs to put that medium sized dog, attempting to carry a tune, out of his misery..."

Regardless, I sing. I like to sing.  Honestly, it makes me feel good.  
I decided to do a bit of research of singing and the benefits of it.  Interestingly enough, singing is good for you.  Many studies done over the years have focused on the health benefits of singing, and the evidence is pretty amazing. According to Professor Graham Welch, Director of Educational Research, University of Surrey, Roehampton, UK;

Singing releases endorphins into your system and makes you feel energized and uplifted. People who sing are healthier than people who don’t.
Singing gives the lungs a workout.
Singing tones abdominal and intercostal muscles and the diaphragm, and stimulates circulation.
Singing makes us breathe more deeply than many forms of strenuous exercise, so we take in more oxygen, improve aerobic capacity and experience a release of muscle tension as well. 

Others have said;
Singing can prolong life.
Singing lifts your mood.
Singing encourages blood circulation.
Singing drives away depression.
Singing means fewer doctor visits and fewer medications.
Singing drives away fear.
Singing improves your mood.
Singing releases the same feel-good brain chemicals as sex and chocolate.
Singing is an effective stress reliever and improves sleep.
Singing releases pain-relieving endorphins, helping you to forget that painful ________.
Singing improves posture.
Singing clears sinuses and respiratory tubes.
Singing tones your facial and stomach muscles.
Singing helps you find friends (well... most of the time...)
Singing strengthens concentration and memory.
Singing broadens expressive communication.
Singing adds a rich, more pleasant quality to speech. 
Singing is an ageless enjoyment – you are never too young or too old.

I would argue, that singing for purely exercise is missing what it was really intended to do.  Singing with a mission has the ability to do so much more than just a selfish exercise.
For in the realm of the heavens, singing, or worship rather has the ability to demolish cities - think of Jericho.
Singing brings one into a conversation with our Creator.
Singing gives us the ability to bring our petitions before the Father. Either alone or collectively.
Singing has the ability to teach us - helping us remember the actions of God and reminding us of the grace of God.
Singing helps us to put life into perspective - recognizing that our problems may not be as big as we think them to be.
Singing reminds us Who is on the Throne.
Singing helps us to be evangelistic. 
Singing helps us to pray.
Singing helps us remember the Great Wedding song that is yet to be sung on that great and glorious day.

Friends, let me remind you to sing.  Don't hold back.  The church, even the world, needs more men, women and children singing - worshiping Christ. Lift your voices today and all your days.

    And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
    “Great and amazing are your deeds,
        O Lord God the Almighty!
    Just and true are your ways,
        O King of the nations!
(Revelation 15:3)