With One Voice: Meditation by a Worshipping Soprano
I am a classically trained opera singer. I have studied the physics of the voice, the tension of suspension, the lift of resonance, the art of color and diction. I’ve stood in concert halls where the sound of one unamplified voice can fill a thousand seats.
But on Sunday mornings, I am one voice among many—sometimes leading, sometimes blending, sometimes falling silent so the people of God can be heard. In both settings, I carry the same calling: to make every breath, every tone, every phrase a sacrifice of praise.
This is a meditation for singers who want their craft to be consecrated. It’s for worship leaders and section sopranos, for tenors and altos who know the joy and the discipline of disappearing into a chord. This is my offering of what I’ve learned—step by step, note by note—for the glory of God.
Earthly Heroes and Eternal Hope: Wrestling with Legacy as a Christian
As a Korean American, I grew up hearing stories of great Korean generals, kings, and warriors—figures who exemplified bravery and honor. Their legacies are a source of pride, shaping my cultural identity and reminding me of the strength of my people. But as I’ve deepened in my Christian faith, I’ve begun to wrestle with a troubling question: What is the ultimate point of their achievements if many of these heroes didn’t know Christ?
This struggle isn’t new. Early Church thinkers wrestled with similar questions about Greek and Roman heroes, like Hector, who embodied noble virtues yet remained disconnected from the gospel. In the same way, I’ve often felt a tension between honoring the accomplishments of my ancestors and the reality of eternal salvation in Christ. Can their earthly success, no matter how grand, really matter in the scope of eternity?
Beginning of Seas: What’s In a Name?
We’ve all encountered those inevitable icebreaker sessions where we’re prompted to share a fun fact about ourselves. Over time, I’ve compiled a handful of go-to facts to rotate whenever it’s my turn. One of those intriguing tidbits is that I belong to the select few who had the privilege to choose their own given name. When the moment came to become a naturalized citizen, I seized the opportunity and selected the name “Chloe.” Curiously, there are instances when my name feels like more than just a label—it transforms into an alter ego, a public identity. Yet, this “alter ego” remains an integral part of who I am. After all, the term “alter ego” is simply Latin for “other I” or “second self.”
Throughout my journey, I’ve assumed a few different “egos” through various name changes. Even my transition to the United States included the Anglicization of my Korean name, creating a distinctive contrast. My family name shifted from its original context to become a last name, and my given name, when spelled using the Latin-script alphabet, doesn’t invite the same pronunciation it does in Korean. Additionally, upon marriage, I embraced yet another name change, following Western tradition.
I plan my life out a day at a time, so my posting schedule can be erratic.
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