WHAT IF

Okay. So I went to Women of Faith this past weekend and finally got to hear one of my favorite songwriters live, and, of course, found a new appreciation for all of the awesome old songs and a new love for some of the new ones. Nichole Nordeman is in my mind one of the top five Christian songwriters in the business. I can't really explain what it is about her music that draws me to it. Maybe it's the brutal honesty of what she says when she sings or maybe it's the simplistic way she shares the Gospel. Whatever it is, it's freaking awesome...lol

So she's got a new CD out called Brave, and, of course, I bought it at the conference. She did this song called "What If" with just her playing the piano and singing. I had goosebumps through the whole thing, so I've decided to share it with you. I'll post her little explanation of how she was inspired to write the song, and then I'll post the song.

"I've never felt comfortable arguing about God. That's not to say I haven't done it. Trust me, I've engaged in more than my fair share of full-blown Bible beating with people. It's so embarrassing and humiliating to remember. Especially since my victims probably never set foot in another ring (and not because I was such a formidable opponent, I just had this nasty habit of always hitting below the belt.) Winning an argument for God was a big deal.

When I was a young Christian kid, the argument were about creation vs. Evolution. In college, the arguments became about politics. These days, people are full entrenched in arguments about how to reconcile "religion" with stem cell research, gay marriage and the complicated choices we make in a time of war.

Because I am a follower of Jesus, and I believe that the Bible is a timeless and true roadmap, I tend to head there for my answers. But I don't argue any more. Nobody ever got argued into the arms of Christ. Nobody gets brow beaten or humiliated into a relationship whose very foundation is mercy and grace. When every argument and piece of well defended evidence sounds empty to a hurting heart, it is the love of Jesus that comes rushing in and changes things. I wrote this song for a friend who I believe strongly will run out of arguments one day and straight into the arms of Jesus."
---SEE WHAT I MEAN ABOUT FREAKING AWESOME!---

WHAT IF

What if you're right
And He was just another nice guy
What if you're right
What if it's true
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true
What if He takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That's all you find
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Than folklore that must be told and retold?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
Just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you're wrong?

What if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
Just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

words and music by Nichole Nordeman

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK!!!