That Still, Small Voice

A couple of months ago, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Somewhere in the middle of the night, a song came to my head.

Just a chorus, comprised of only a few words. A simple Hallelujah.

I had two choices:

I could fight to go back to sleep.

Or I could indulge my overactive, sleep-deprived brain.

I chose indulgence.

Beneath barely-read books, tubes of Carmex and crumpled up Kleenex, I found a pen and scrap paper in my bedside drawer. Recalling every ounce of music theory I managed to retain from college (which isn't much), I jotted down the words, notes & rythym. And happily, I fell back asleep.

The next day, it stuck with me. And the next. And I promised myself I would actually finish it.

I eventually sang it for our ridiculously talented music director. And in all honesty, I thought that was that.

But I suppose that's the cool thing about that still, small voice. If you share it with someone else, it gets louder. And louder.

And this Sunday, that little song that was in my head in the wee hours of the night will be sung at church for almost 4000 people. Exciting and absolutely frightening. Last night I was able to practice it with the entire band. How cool to have something go from your head to the sound system! Our music director did a complete arrangement with piano, keys, base, acoustic guitar, congas, drums...and maybe a cowbell or two (just kidding on that one).

Now, I'm definitely not saying that I think it's great or anything to flip cartwheels over. (Matt's arrangement is great - I'm referring to my actual song) I'm sure it sounds quite amateurish...as I am, in deed, an amateur! In fact, I'm nursing a crazy sore throat and on a strict regimine of antibiotics, Mucinex, Zicam, cough drops and Sinex. Paints a lovely picture, no? I may sound more like Marge Simpson than Jessica Simpson, if I even have a voice at all.

But I suppose the whole point to this post is that I wonder what would have happened if I had just rolled back over and went to sleep, forgetting the words. The tune. The excitement of embarking on a new challenge. I wouldn't have gone with that little voice and saw something transform from a sleepy idea to a tangible orchestration.

So what is that still, small voice in your head saying?

What is it nudging you to do?

I'm pretty sure God has great things in store for us. We just have to just shut up and listen.

And then have the courage to doing something with it.