THE REASON WHY I SING
--By Sondra McCauley

I love music-all kinds, though there is nothing more satisfying than good Christian music. Praise God that He has gifted me with talent to write songs and sing to the extent where I can solo as well as lead others in praise and worship. I enjoy both gifts equally well and they fit very nicely together. Through the years I have compiled a repertoire of songs that I can muster to meet a range of ministry occasions-thirty-some songs that I have written throughout the years, and at least as many tunes by other artists that I perform via accompaniment tracks.

But contrary to what some may think, the songs that I write and minister are not just clever ditties created from my human intellect or selected off the shelf at will. They also are not principally my choices based on how they sound, how well they fit my voice, or how much I might like the beat-though these may all be considerations. Rather, they are songs of God's choosing for me. They are songs that ministered to me first before I could even think to get up in front of a congregation to share them with anyone else. They are songs God used to impart His Word to my spirit at times when I needed them most: Songs birthed in me in times of praise and worship, prayer and reflection. Songs written on my heart and readily available when no Bible or CD player might be at hand. Songs resonating in my spirit, reminding me of God's promises during times of tribulation and testing, echoing in my heart in the night watches, and greeting me in the morning to prepare me to face the realities of each new day.

Once God introduced a song, I went to great lengths to claim it for my own. I spent many hours refining the words and melodies of new spiritual songs to get them to say exactly what He was saying to me. I searched widely to obtain published tapes and CDs--contacting music stores, the Library of Congress, radio stations, music houses, distributors, or recording artists themselves to get copies. Once obtained, I sang or listened to them over and over again-sometimes it seemed I could not get enough. God's songs are now with me so much so that when one is not "playing" in my heart, I take it as an indication that something is not quite right with me spiritually and that I need to get back to that place of peace and faith in His "recorded" Word.

The songs closely fit the various seasons of my walk with God. The ones I wrote are almost autobiographical. If you listen carefully you can identify recurring themes in the music. For example, songs such as "I Choose Joy" and "March On" speak of triumph in times of spiritual testing and misfortune. "Hunger for Holiness" is a cry for cleansing and spiritual growth while "To Teach Me" is a recognition that He will set me apart for a season for just that purpose. "In a Way that Matters" is a prayer to be made useful and useable by Him. "Flow Free," the title cut of my soon to be released CD, relays a longing to be fully released in ministry. "You're My Praise" and " I Love You Lord" are sheer adoration and worship. "Come See This Man" and "I Give You Jesus" are invitations to others to accept Christ and the fulfillment that He can bring to each life. And the list goes on.
Now, with the tunes imprinted on my heart and mind, I can bring them forth to the benefit of others--anywhere. It's my prayer that as I minister, people listen not just to the sounds or the art form, but draw strength and comfort from the words and melodies. Similarly, II Corinthians 1: 3-4 states "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." This also matches a line from a noted Yolanda Adams tune, "Before I tell them, Lord, tell me."

Creating inspirational music and singing are not just things I do. They're a part of who I am. They've been a fundamental element and stabilizing force in my spiritual growth. They're a part of God's calling and purpose for my life. I'm still growing in them and I still have a ways to go, but I am determined to press on. No matter how much family members might try to tune me out, friends might judge, church folk might state preferences, or unbelievers might want to sway me to secular music instead, I can't not sing God's Word. Where God wants to use and take the gift is up to Him; my reasonable service is to be ready and willing to minister in the way, time, and place that He chooses. God used His Word in music to bless me; I used it in kind to bless Him; now it's my turn to bless others. And that's the reason why I sing.