Let the Child Sing!

“Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people.”
— Psalm 149:2-4

Wendy and I were in church on Sunday just going through the motions. I won’t speak for Wendy, but I was. We were standing and singing along. I was counting the songs till we got to the message. Wendy loves the worship music. I treasure the message more.

I noticed a young boy in front of us looking to the side and singing out with no care in the world. I was impressed that he knew all the words. Then, I realized that he couldn’t see over the people in front of him. He was looking to the side to read the screen at the back of the church that the musicians use. It was the only screen he could see. So, he was almost facing us, reading the words and singing his little heart out.

As the service moved from song to song, his singing became louder and louder. People all around the area began turning to see where the voice was coming from. Everyone I saw that looked at the boy smiled and then turned back to the stage. The looks increased in direct correlation with the increase in his volume. Eventually, his parents began looking at each other with knowing gestures. His mom finally bent over and told him to tone it down. That he should try and sing at the same level with the people around him.

I have no idea what happened on the stage that day. I couldn’t take my eyes off the boy. He quietened down for the last few slides of the song. My wife leaned over and whispered with a hurt expression on her face, “That’s so sad!” She was referring to him being told to quieten down.

As the song came to an end, everyone began to sit down. I walked a couple steps over right behind the boy. I leaned over and touched his shoulder. He and his mom looked at me surprised. I leaned in close and didn’t even try to whisper. I looked him in the eye and said, “You sing as loud as you want to! You sing as loud as you want, because you inspired me today!”

Let the child sing!

There was no problem with him. The problem was with the rest of us. We were the ones conforming to expectations. We were the ones trying to fit in and sound good! He was completely oblivious to everyone else in the room and was just singing his little heart out. It inspired me to see that total disregard for the opinion of others in pursuit of something pure and good. Oh, if I could just be such a person.

To be overwhelmed with a desire for worship that took into account nothing save the presence of my King. To cast off my image, as David cast off his garments to dance with all his might before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14). To break my most prized possessions in sacrifice to the Savior, as the woman broke the expensive flask of fragrant oil to wash the feet of Jesus (Luke 7:37-38). To offer up everything I have to Him, like the woman who gave her last two coins, her whole livelihood (Mark 12:42).

I think we often fail to understand Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:3 when He states, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” It is not just about being born again. But about humility. About becoming like this little boy and letting go of the world.

Stop trying to fit in. Let the little child in you sing! For if we do not, God will still be praised, but we will miss the blessing in it. For if the entire world was silent, the rocks would cry out in praise! But, oh, let not the rocks cry out. Let it be me! Let the child sing!

© 2025 Warren Martin. All rights Reserved.