No matter any previous experiences you’ve had with church, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “preaching to the choir." Say you’re in a conversation with a big fan of the F/X show, "The Americans."
You: "I can’t believe ‘The Americans’ didn’t get nominated for an Emmy! It’s one of the best shows on TV.”
“The Americans” fan: “Friend, you’re preaching to the choir. It’s so much better than ‘Homeland.’”
You get how it works. You make your opinion known to someone who (seemingly) is already on the same page as you are. This phrase came up in a conversation I was having the other day, but when I heard it, I was struck by how untrue it could be. Have you ever been a part of a choir? Have you ever known people in a choir? There are obvious differences among choir members (people sing different parts, some are more in need of Auto-Tune than others) and some pretty strong opinions about the kinds of pieces they sing and the kind of direction they’re receiving. Despite the uniqueness of a choir, it’s easy to overlook its members, lest you be accused of, well. preaching to them.
Do you have choir members in your own life that you overlook? These may be friends or family members that you take for granted or simply assume that they know they’re appreciated and loved. Here’s some advice: Don’t overlook them. Your own personal choir members add a lot to your life. Today, say a prayer of gratitude for them and their faithfulness. And then reach out to them and let them know how much they mean to you. It will be the best sermon they’ve probably heard in quite some time.