Preparing to Sing Through the Storm

Living in Colorado, one must come to terms with the unique extremes of our weather. I’ve lost multiple cars and roofs to hailstorms on some of the most beautiful summer days. Extreme cold has frozen my pipes. Extreme heat has melted things I did not know could melt. My street has become a river more than once, leaving me stranded for nearly an entire day. A tree that stood in my yard for decades came down in moments from an intense windstorm. Lightning struck another tree. And my last tree, even after a thorough trimming, ripped the power line off my house in a freak gust of wind.

With this reality ever before me, my only recourse is always to expect the unexpected and prepare accordingly. The next storm is coming, and my act-of-God bingo card still has plenty of empty spaces. Will I be ready for whatever comes next?

Last December, the Lord took to Himself the souls of two older saints and one infant. During a season usually marked by welcoming distant family and celebratory feasts, our church corporately added to that rhythm these unexpected occasions of loss and mourning (though not without the greatest of hope) this year. A sudden storm fell upon our brothers and sisters, and we weathered it with them in love.

Even as I write this, my mind moves to others in our congregation currently living in similar seasons of sudden turmoil – miscarriages, job loss, family in-fighting, and chronic illness, to name a few. As a pastor, I cannot help but meditate on whether I have adequately prepared these sheep to meet those storms when they come upon them. Like the disciples upon the sea, will they receive the storm with fear and dread, or will they reach for the Maker of Heaven and Earth who rides in the boat with them? How am I shepherding them toward the latter?

Much like my response to the crazy Colorado weather, I must first admit (and teach others to admit) that we cannot control the storm. Death, loss, and heartache are a reality of the Christian life (John 16:33). We should also expect the suddenness in which these storms appear. Another thing Colorado will teach you is that the forecast should be held with an incredibly loose grip. Something is coming, which is inevitable. When it will happen and how bad it will be are only certain when it finally arrives.

My specific task is to shepherd our congregation in gathered worship through singing. Another pastor preaches the word. Another pastor teaches the Word. Another pastor disciples and counsels with the Word. But the church tasks me with leading our congregation to sing the Word to one another in the presence of God (Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14).

If the Bible is in them, the songs your church members sing each week are likely the most consistent and repetitive aspect of the ministry of the Word to them. Sermon topics, passages, and series change constantly. Prayers are always quite specific and timely. Scripture readings also follow long-term patterns if we feed our people with God’s whole counsel (Acts 20:27). But most churches feed repeatedly on the same diet of songs for extended seasons.

This is what makes a song singable and why songs are a more memorable medium than reading. It’s ultimately why songs rise to the surface amid life’s storms. Is it any wonder that the Bible’s greatest examples of prayer amid suffering come down to us in the form of songs? The book of Psalms is the most prominent example. David sang songs to his Refuge and Strength in times of repentance, humiliation, persecution, suffering, and loss. The truth of his current situation, the everlasting promises of God, and the hope that leads to joy were joined with a tune, and a melody soothed his malady.

It has been said that the pastor’s primary job is to prepare their people for death. I believe more now than ever that this is the case, so I encourage every pastor to consider their role in providing songs to their people that fulfill that task well. Regularly sing songs that teach of the joys of Heaven and the painful reality of Hell. Sing songs that explain the tension between God’s care for His people even as He providentially allows them to experience seasons of suffering. Sing songs that rest our faithfulness to God not on ourselves but on Christ’s obedience and righteousness imputed to us. Sing songs that speak of the Comforter’s ever-abiding presence in the life of the believer.

Also, consider the great benefit of singing songs for the suffering, even when there is no suffering. After all, this is the means and end of preparation! Foolish is the man who runs the race without training to strengthen his body for that endeavor. In other words, what song does the sufferer have in their mind that will rise above the noise of the wind and the waves and provide a guiding light in their time of need? And how will they have it ready unless they believe its message with all their heart and are singing it over and over and over again in the midst of the redeemed? Work while it is day to prepare for what you need when night comes. Teach songs to your church on sunny days that prepare them for the stormy nights to come.

Lastly, train yourself to be a pastor who literally sings with the suffering. Always walk into the house of mourning with a song to minister to the heart of the hurting. You don’t need the best voice to do this, nor feel the need to perform. You don’t need a keyboard or guitar, just your voice. You don’t need to memorize every verse of whatever song you choose. You just need to take the simple truth of God’s presence, love, and care to your sheep in this simple but powerful way. If you have never done this, I encourage you to prepare for your next opportunity and see if it does not radically minister to your people and your soul.

To that end, I submit the following:

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul!
It is well, it is well with my soul!