Here is Part 1 of the story and the first two steps I learned about pursuing my passions. I will share Part 2 and two more steps tomorrow…

In 1994, at the age of 30, I surrendered my career life to God and asked Him to show me what He wanted me to do. After getting an MBA and spending five years in consulting and sales, the time had come to trust God 100% instead of asking Him to join me in what I was doing.

In 1995, God called me to Ronald Blue & Co. to become a financial planner. It was the clearest sense of direction I had experienced in my life. So clear, in fact, that I thought the greatest blessing was that I had found my life calling. It was a joy and a privilege to wake up each day and give financial counsel to clients based on a biblical perspective.

Working with clients on financial and life stewardship caused me to ask myself the same questions I would often discuss with clients. How much is enough? What are your passions? As I reflected, my heart was stirred to revive a lifelong passion I had for playing the piano and writing songs. “Baby steps” of faith led me to a place where God inspired me to compose instrumental melodies to help people slow down and experience His peace. The next year, I released my first CD and gave it away to friends, clients and co-workers. More and more people began to enjoy and share my music and two more albums followed.

Below are the first two steps that had a powerful impact on my faith journey. I hope they inspire and encourage you to pursue your passions.

1. Invest. In 1999 I had a stirring in my heart that I was supposed to invest in a keyboard and computer to record some old songs I had written in high school. God’s voice just would not go away on this, so I gathered information for six months, waited upon the Lord, and took action steps to obey and invest. Following this, God revealed a new idea to create solo piano from scripture to “bring peace to the soul.” “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

2. Invigorate. What is it that invigorates you (i.e. refreshes, revitalizes, stimulates, enlivens, energizes, rejuvenates, animates, strengthens, livens you up)? Make sure to integrate whatever “it” is into your life, even if this means just a few minutes each day or a few hours each week. Make the most of life right now where you are. “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free” (Psalm 119:32).

Some of the inspiration behind The Voice – you can sample this melody at https://www.stantonlanier.com/the-voice.php (just copy into your browser). By the time I was in high school I had become a worrier and perfectionist, and was overly conscious of what others thought of me. The voice I often heard in my mind was my own, criticizing my performance and pouring on more pressure to succeed. God was part of my life, but it took a long time before I deeply explored the possibility of hearing His voice. Could He actually guide my steps in life? Could He provide the wisdom, discernment and comfort that I needed?  Could I really hear His voice? The more I have pursued this, the more I have encountered profound conversations and intimacy with a God who cares for me beyond my comprehension. Try playing this melody in an extra quiet place . . . be still . . . and listen.  “. . . the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice . . . Elijah heard the voice. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (1 Kings 19:11-13; Isaiah 30:21). Pursuing God and hearing His voice more clearly are lifelong pursuits that will never reach perfection in my lifetime, but making progress one day at a time and by God’s grace is definitely worthwhile.

What are your “dreams in the night?” (What are your greatest fears and doubts?) I composed Dreams in the Night for the Unveiled CD in 2006-2007, and often play this song in concert. I like to include it in the program to reach those in the audience who are struggling with fear and doubt over some life circumstance (I often have these struggles in life too). My story about this song has always been about this theme of life’s anxious thoughts, which people connect with right away. Then, this spring I literally had this “dream in the night”…

The dream…I was the second pianist to perform in a packed auditorium of 500 people or so. This jazzy, upbeat, singing lady pianist was the first act and had the audience clapping and singing along. I was wondering if they would connect as well with my peaceful, uplifting melodies, visuals and stories (Fear #1). It would be a hard act to follow, so I decided to go find a piano to practice for a few minutes before I would be called to the stage. I couldn’t find one, so I went out the back door and there was this field. I kept walking and I realized it was a field of pianos that were old, weathered and worn out. It was like a car junkyard, but with pianos. As I went from one piano to the next, none of them would play. Time was getting short as I walked further into the field. I needed to get back to the auditorium, and would have to play with no warm up (Fear #2). As I quickened my pace to get back, out of the shadows two men approached me asking for money. I thought they were going to rob me (Fear #3). I was scared, but was able to say “no thank you” and make it back to the auditorium. However, now I was late for my performance and everyone was waiting and wondering where I was (Fear #4). Then I woke up. I usually don’t remember dreams, but this one was like a weird movie and stayed with me. It clearly illustrated some of my “dreams in the night,” and reminded me to keep alive a sense of child-like faith in God as I live life’s moments. What is your “dream in the night?” What steps can you take to nurture your child-like faith?