I used to hate singing.

I especially hated it when my mom made me sing from the hymnal on Saturday nights. Every Saturday night, I would squirm when my mom called me into the living room for worship. I would half-heartedly sing at first.

My mom always chose songs she remembered from her childhood, and I didn’t know how to sing those. She did her best to teach me, though, and soon I knew them as well as she did.

Finally, after we sang her songs, she would let me choose some. I would always excitedly flip to page 12 and we would sing “Joyful, Joyful.” As I got older, I could appreciate the other songs. But I’ll always have a special place in my heart for “Joyful, Joyful.”

I think the reason I failed to find enjoyment in hymns at first was that I wanted to be entertained. But hymns weren’t made for our entertainment. They were made to praise God. The words and melodies draw you nearer to the One who loves you with all His heart, and who created you.

So maybe the next time you sing a worship song to God think about all the times He’s helped you, and how He’s saved you through Jesus His Son.

And let your voice ring with gratitude.