The Voice

Priye strode into the church hall through the side door at 9:17am. As had become her recent habit, she was fashionably late, and as usual, she didn’t care. Her heels clicked loudly, demanding attention as she strutted past the silent congregation. With a mischievous smile playing on her lips, she made her way to her usual seat in the front row of the choir gallery. But her smile quickly turned into a scowl when she discovered her spot had been taken.

“How dare someone take my seat?!” She muttered under her breath.

With a glare, she sent the poor girl scurrying away, fleeing like prey from a predator. Satisfied, Priye sat down, assuming her place as queen.

Her eyes darted around the church, desperately seeking flaws to fuel her dissatisfaction. She hoped to find something to complain about. Maybe the colours for decor would be at war, or she would find that usher whose shoes were crying for mercy. Maybe even Sister Lilian, who had stubbornly refused to loosen her hair after almost a whole century. To her dismay, everything seemed perfect. Frustrated, she shifted her gaze toward the person reading the Bible lesson.

“Ugh! He can’t even pronounce his words properly. And that tie, it’s a noose! Does he want to commit suicide?”

A gentle tap on her shoulder interrupted her random thoughts. It was Chuka, one of the tenor singers.

“Good morning, Priye. MD says you should give up your seat since you came late. You know the rules.”

Priye was livid! She glared at Chuka, ready to pounce on him with a biting remark. She searched for a suitable retort to convey her rage, but none came to mind. With a long hiss, she grudgingly stood up.

“Fine! If that’s what the Music Director wants, I’ll go.” She said in a hiss.

Chuka watched in surprise but didn’t say a word. It was best to avoid the taste of Priye’s venom so early in the morning. Reluctantly, she settled into a seat behind the band section, and her feet tapped rhythmically on the floor.

“How dare the Music Director send me away? I’m the best singer in this choir! They should be begging me to sing!” she muttered angrily.

As the Bible reading concluded, it was time for the choir to sing and lead the congregation into worship. Priye grinned. This was her moment to shine. When it came to worship, no one else came close. She was the life of the choir, and they would surely flop without her.

She refused to be easily appeased, not after the humiliation she had endured. They would have to apologize properly before she would grace them with her voice. Surely, everyone must be fed up with the out-of-tune singing they’d been subjected to. It was time to hear a true voice from heaven.

“Let me see how they will do this without me. After the embarrassment of this morning, they should get ready to beg.” She whispered.

There was a slight delay and shuffling of feet. Priye wondered whom the MD was sending to appease her. Suddenly, a sonorous voice cut through her thoughts, resonating with perfect pitch and harmonizing flawlessly with the instruments. Priye’s mouth hung open in astonishment. No one within or outside the church could sing like that.

“What… who is singing? It has to be a recording.” She concluded when Shazam couldn’t identify the song.

“I need to find out and get that song after the service. My goodness! This is how I should be singing. “ She whispered in awe.

Just then, she scanned the stage, and her eyes widened in disbelief. It was Dami, the young girl from the teenagers’ class who was on stage, singing melodies that stirred the hearts of the congregation and led them into profound worship. The atmosphere was fully charged. The spirit of God moved freely, and the signs were as clear as crystal. Priye was bewildered.

In the blink of an eye, her pride shattered into a million pieces, as she realized how worthless her self-importance was.

“Dami… it’s Dami? That girl that follows me everywhere like a shadow. So, she can sing, and lead everyone into this powerful worship?”

Overwhelmed by a rush of emotions, Priye couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. They cascaded down her cheeks, oblivious to the curious eyes around her. She, who had always been the center of attention in the choir, had been humbled by a teenager.

“I… I never realized… I was so full of pride. Lord, forgive me.” She cried with tears.

“Please forgive my arrogance. I want to change. Show me Your way, so I may truly walk with You. Let nothing separate me from Your presence. Hold me tight and never let go. Even when my hands slip and I lose my grip, keep me steadfast. Let Your will alone be done in my life!” She cried in a trembling voice.

That day, Priye left the church hall at 1:25 pm, with shoulders held high. But this time, it wasn’t with the pride she had arrived with. Instead, she basked in the warmth of God’s love. She emerged renewed, refreshed, and revived, with a burning fire in her soul.

Her smile shone brighter, it had an extra glow. She even spoke to the MD and apologized for her lackadaisical attitude, promising to do better. She waved goodbye to Chuka and others, much to their surprise.

Something had changed within her. No longer was she consumed by herself, but her desire was to fulfill the Lord’s will. To win souls with her voice and channel all the glory to Him.

#love #life #christianity #God