I could hear him coming. As I reached the top of the stairs at the gym, the young fit man fit the voice. Trim, tight, and on the mark. He was not humming, he was singing! While the volume was at a personal level, there was no question that anyone within reach could hear the song. At first it was strange, approaching weird. As I got closer I realized it was fantastic. I am not sure he realized he was singing or that he was in a public place. I know in his heart he had no choice. As I passed it was as if I was infused with hope, gifted with a sense of possibilities, and invited to celebrate.
I have no idea who he is. His face did not look familiar. His attire was casual and off the rack. I do know he can sing. It was a wonderful voice. He sang with great range and control. Obviously he sings whenever he can. I am left with the memory of his voice and the gifts that came with it.
In a week filled with tragedy, horror, and uncertainties, I find myself clinging to threads of hope. When it comes with peace and celebration, every gift is helpful. When it is gifted without any sense of compensation or even acknowledgement, I am left humbled and inspired. The observation and question that I wrestle with is a simple one; “sharing the gifts we have is our mutual calling. If he is so willing to share, publically and without concern of judgement, what prevents me from doing the same?”
A psalmist put this calling into words that still resonate; “Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music!” (Psalm 105.2) I would like to suggest that there are many ways we express compassion, passions and emotion through action. In this case, it was through an acapella song. In our case, it could be through a compassionate embrace, a voice of understanding, or an act of love. Being vocal is a calling worthy of god.
