Click above to listen to the piano, percussion, violin trio Crossing Waters from Open Spaces as you read. If you enjoy the music, please consider supporting by visiting stantonlanier.com, iTunes, or Amazon.
Is an idea stirring in you that will require a leap of faith?
This is what I was reflecting on as I was composing Crossing Waters. I will explain in a moment, but first, here is a short story that required a big leap of faith…
A few summers ago my son and I were part of a high adventure Boy Scout trip to the Northern Tier boundary waters on the Minnesota-Canada border. Our group of five scouts, two adult leaders, and a guide canoed fifty miles in five days. Our route took us across a dozen cold water lakes, and included two miles of carrying three canoes and all our camping gear between each lake. The night sky was breathtaking, with more stars than I have ever seen.
The biggest “leap of faith” moment came when we all had a chance to jump off a 40-foot cliff into deep water. My son and I both took some time looking from the edge. If we made the leap, it would be a symbolic moment. We would bond through overcoming our fear, and we could call on this experience when facing life’s future “leap of faith” moments. There was risk. We were scared. But we jumped. One thousand one, one thousand two, splash — exhilaration!! Wow!
The uplifting, upbeat piano melody in Crossing Waters is symbolic of child-like faith, that anything is possible. The light percussion joins in, indicating there is a rhythm to life’s “leap of faith” moments and how we respond. We often have to jump into the unknown, to “get our feet wet” so to speak, before any results can happen. The violin represents looking back over our shoulder in gratitude and remembrance for all the times God has been faithful to help us “cross the waters” of fear, and revealed the exhilarating blessings on the “other side.”
What leap of faith “next step” is God asking you to take?
“And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap. So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing…The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” Joshua 3:13-17
johna1949 says
I am drinking in deeply of this very song as I write. What a marvelous metaphor and imaginary application of the truth of this biblical teaching in Joshua 3. Your gifts bless me and countless more people all over the world. Keep up the good work friend.
Stanton Lanier says
Thanks so much for sharing this John! I am grateful for your encouragement, and so glad this was a blessing. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton
tammy says
Lovely!
Stanton Lanier says
Thank you Tammy! I am so glad you enjoyed. Blessings to you! Stanton
Hilary Wolfe says
This is beautiful. I so look forward to your posts. I have many of your cds and saw you perform in Marietta last year. Your music is my ” go to ” place when I need calm, when I need to center myself and de-stress. Your music is such a blessing to the world.
Stanton Lanier says
Hilary, thanks for your encouraging words. I am grateful you are enjoying the blog posts and the music too. Grace and peace to you today!
Brenda C says
Beautiful as always…touches the heart of one’s soul..God bless you Stanton..thank you for sharing your gift with this world…
Stanton Lanier says
Thank you Brenda. You’re welcome for the sharing. The music and words for reflection are God-inspired for sure, so it is wonderful to hear how His peace and rest come through to touch the soul. Blessings to you today!