The Beating Heart...

The BBC reported a study that showed that groups who sing together also synchronize their heartbeats.   It has to do with breathing together and being together...much like a house full of women who are all fussy one week a month. (I constantly reminded my husband of the calendar date when he lamented that his girls would never get along.  And, of course, I reminded him in a rather fussy way...enough said.)

It made me wonder about singing in worship. There is a rhythm to good worship, a sense of movement and continuity, and music plays an important part. Many of our responses are sung. Some are spoken in unison. The BBC says chanting most quickly impacts the heart...how close is that to a unison spoken prayer?

Unfortunately no one has studied worship to determine its impact on the physical responses of the congregant, and I'm not holding my breath 'til it happens. But those who worship regularly speak of a sense of transformation, a sense of becoming one with the community--connected through the work of the Spirit to God and to each other. "Our hearts beat as one" is a phrase I've often heard in connection with worship...there may be more there than metaphorical truth.

Research shows the connection is made through breath patterns, not being on pitch or the quality of the sound produced. Seems to me the psalmist might have been onto something when he/she encouraged "make a joyful noise to the Lord!"  I hung out in the coffee shop long enough this morning to hum with many of the customers and staff "let's get together and be all right." Our Presbyterian constitution says worship is a joy and a privilege. It is also a gift...one that may have implication and consequences that we can't even begin to imagine--but God knows.

You may not be able to sing in a choir. Choir people are usually folks who can at least carry a tune. But you can be a joyful singer in worship.  I've been in groups where I know people around me sing a hymn off key,or in a different key, or in several keys.  But standing in front of that same group of people when I lead worship, all you hear is one voice...and, I bet...one heartbeat. Thanks be to God!