- Discovering the Joy of Singing Later in Life
Growing up in my home country, I never realized I had a voice, much less that I enjoyed singing. Survival was our primary concern as children, and there were no opportunities to explore the joys of music. It wasn’t until much later, during my graduate school years in the early 1990s, that I discovered the pleasure of singing. Karaoke, which had become a popular social activity, gave me my first taste of vocal expression.
During the holidays, my mentor would take his students from the laboratory to a lavish dining experience at an upscale restaurant. We often reserved a private room with karaoke. While everyone enjoyed exquisite meals and engaged in lively conversation, I would immerse myself in the music, singing along to the popular tunes that filled the air.
Although I received applause from the audience, my lack of formal voice training made that type of singing feel more like self-entertainment. While it was satisfying at the time, it never truly resonated deep within my soul.
- First Church Experience: Holy Spirit Connected with my Spirit through Worship
Years later, after completing my graduate studies, I found myself stepping onto the soil of the United States. Raised in an atheistic environment, the concept of worship songs was entirely foreign to me. I had never experienced the soul-enriching power of such music, and the idea felt distant, almost beyond my grasp.
By the grace of God, I was invited to a local church by a stranger I met on a bus to work during my postgraduate studies in the U.S. When I first visited the church, I was completely unfamiliar with the concepts of sermons and preaching. Raised as an atheist, I had never read the Bible or heard of Jesus. Consequently, I had no understanding of the depth of the pastor’s message. In fact, I could not even recall the content of his sermon. All I remember is the pastor’s passion; his hands waved in the air as he spoke loudly at times. As a result, the preaching had little to no impact on me.
Yet, something remarkable happened that day—something else captured my soul. It was the worship songs.
I didn’t even know they were called worship songs at the time. As the music began and the choir’s voices soared, a deep, almost indescribable feeling stirred within me.
Something beyond myself guided me into a tranquil state. I stood there as my eyelids grew heavy. Without intention, my eyes closed, and my head bowed. My soul was carried away to an unknown realm, far beyond this world, lost in a moment when time and space seemed to dissolve. Almost unknowingly, I surrendered to the soft, flowing melodies that gently enveloped my heart. I had never experienced such a tender, soul-stirring touch before.
From high school to college, through graduate studies and beyond, my life became a relentless cycle of fierce competition, hard work, and endless studying. My soul never had a moment to rest, constantly driven by the demands of academic ambition and the pursuit of achievement.
I could scarcely believe that such gentle sweetness could touch my heart; it was too overwhelming to bear. Tears welled up and streamed down my face, a sight I almost felt ashamed for others to see. Yet, I didn’t understand at the time that these tears were not mere emotions but something far deeper and far more transformative.
This ethereal experience drew me back to the church again.
Later, it was revealed that the Holy Spirit connected with my spirit that day. Soon, He guided me toward the salvation granted by God’s grace, even before I fully understood the message of good news.
- True Worship Elevates You to a Spiritual Realm to Exalt God
Over the years, countless worship songs have become etched in my soul. I was also blessed with several years of voice training, which helped me express myself better in worship.
Whether in choirs or at home, singing to the Lord has become one of the most sacred moments when my spirit intertwines with the Holy Spirit. Although hundreds of worship songs exist, my soul is quite selective about certain melodies and lyrics that can lead me to a special presence of God.
My singing is never a performance. When I open my voice, my eyes are always closed as I stand still with my hands slightly lifted. I don’t clap my hands; for me, it is a disturbance of the Holy Spirit. As my spirit transcends into that sacred moment, a tingling sensation spreads along my arms, and tears begin to flow, as if pouring from the eternal fountain of living water.
👉 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38
Worship is never an outward expression of emotions or excitement. It is a stillness that allows my soul to surrender to God’s presence and my spirit to be led to a spiritual realm beyond words. At that moment, I could hear my voice echoing with the angels around me. My voice would reach so high that it would seem not to be me signing but the angel singing through me.
Each time after worship, my husband, who always stood by my side at church, along with others sitting around me, would always comment, “You sound so incredible. It is hard to describe it. You sing like angels.”
👉 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
It is not that I sing like angels, but rather, the angels sing through me.
👉 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
✳️ ❤️ True worship is to exalt God above all heavens and the earth! (Psalm 46:10)
It can only be achieved through the intimate connection between our spirits and the Holy Spirit.