It seems that God is not overly fond of cookie cutters. At least He does not employ that sort of technique in creation. Science has confirmed for us that there are no two snowflakes that are identical. This is the case with leaves, flowers, clouds, mountains, and caterpillars. It is true about us, His most dear creatures. We know that each human soul is completely unique, as is every thumb print, retina, skin cell, and hair. Everything is personalized. How immense God is to create such variety — to know every detail! I would like to take a moment to appreciate one of these singular gifts in particular, and that is the voice.
There is something especially intimate about a voice. I suspect it represents a man more than his external appearance does. You would naturally be sad if someone found your face homely, but how much deeper the hurt if your voice was thought to be ugly or offensive — deeper being the operative word. Your voice comes from down inside of you; it is much closer to your heart than your face is. All men desire to be loved, not for how they look or what they do, but for who they are. And what expresses a person more than his voice?
Our Maker, the One Who gave each a singular voice, does love us. He likes the way we sound, and He likes to hear us sing. In fact, He has even gone so far us to make singing enjoyable for us. That’s right. Singing causes pleasure. Yes, I realize this natural pleasure can be lost along the way. We might develop erroneous ideas or expectations about singing, which rob us of our delight and cause us frustration. People can be afraid or uncomfortable to sing for many different reasons. But, surely those unpleasant associations are learned; surely we were made to sing from the heart and to enjoy it immensely. At least that is what I understand from the Psalmist, who unceasingly urges us to sing. “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Ps. 100:2) “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!” (Ps. 135:3) “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” (Ps. 104:33)
Whatever vices, weaknesses, or fears we fail to rid ourselves of on earth will be cleaned up in Purgatory, which means that, in Heaven, we will be our perfected selves. Not only will we love to sing in Heaven and will sound our unique best, but everyone else will be pleased with our voice — most of all, its Maker. Perhaps Eternal Wisdom has composed music for each of us to sing. I imagine there will be times when each person sings his own song, times we will sing together in unison, and times for magnificent harmony. But in every case, we will contribute something to the music which no one else can supply.
Sing then! Sing aloud when possible and within your heart always. Prepare yourself for the heavenly joy to come; be grateful for the foretastes that are given here below. Offer to the One Who loves you your praise, thanksgiving, and all that is in you.
Thank You, dear God, for my voice, for creating musical tones, and for making me capable of producing them. Thank you for all the circumstances and trials of my life, by which You have formed me and prepared me to offer my very own everlasting canticle. Grant me the grace to join the heavenly choirs so I may sing for You the beautiful song which is my love, and which I alone can sing.
Image credit: Kevin C Chen, CC BY-SA 2.0 TW, via Wikimedia Commons
