Jeremiah 33:3

Today is release day for Solo Piano Wonder. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services, or click below to listen as you read the inspiration behind the song…

Solo Piano Wonder is a peaceful, refreshing melody gently giving space to slow down and nurture our childlike faith. The uplifting sounds invite us to see the wonder all around us, and to stand in awe for a moment. I need to remember to pause and notice the beauty in my surroundings, God’s creation, as well as the beauty in people, who are all made in God’s image. If I can see things with the wonder and awe of a young child, my soul is nourished and refreshed with greater peace, hope, and joy. Maybe the music will take you back to some beautiful childhood memories, such as a favorite place or person, your favorite activity, or times when you had your greatest sense of awe and wonder. Maybe the music will remind you of a moment of wonder from yesterday, or even today.

This song takes us on a musical journey with a sense of wandering in a good way, experiencing peace and delight as we treasure the gift of life and watch life’s moments unfold. The primary melody and secondary melodies compliment one another with a sense of a question and an answer. This illustrates the ebb and flow of walking with God as we notice Him here, there, and everywhere with childlike faith. Sometimes I have questions, wondering why something happened. Whether answers come quickly and clearly, or take some time, or even remain a mystery, I can choose to refocus my heart from a sense of wondering to a sense of wonder. Jesus loved when the little children came and sat with him, listening to His voice, and receiving His love and grace with awe and wonder. I can remember times long ago as a boy, swaying in the breeze at the top of a tall tree, or feeling the wind on my face riding my bicycle. I can remember yesterday, when I noticed the blooming flower buds, or spoke encouraging words to a store cashier. I can remember today, giving thanks to God for waking me up this morning. This is the spirit of wonder I want to nourish in my heart and soul.

How does Solo Piano Wonder speak to you?

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” > Psalm 65:8 (NIV)

“…to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever.” > Psalm 136:4 (ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” > Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG)

“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.” > Mark 9:15 (NIV)

Click above to listen to Call to Me from my third album Draw Near. If you enjoy, check out the CD or MP3 Album, Sheet Music, or visit iTunes, Amazon, or Spotify).

Do you view life more as a problem to solve or an adventure to live?

This question from John Eldredge’s book Wild at Heart entered and changed my life about fifteen years ago. I was composing some of my first Scripture inspired piano melodies, and was beginning to wonder if I should pursue music full-time. If yes, what an adventure that would be! The idea was both exhilarating and frightening at the same time.

Recently I took this photograph of a butterfly. The beauty captured in this moment reminds me that figuratively, we are “made to fly” like a butterfly. We were born for more than to “crawl through life” like a caterpillar. Below are three steps I have used to grow in living a “made to fly” life of adventure.

1. Be Still. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NIV). Being still is a difficult first step in a world full of noise and distraction. To experience this fully requires unplugging from news, email and mobile phone apps. My richest times of stillness come when I am meditating on Scripture, reading a devotion, or praying with a posture of listening for God’s voice. When my desire is to hear from Him, He is a faithful guide in my life decisions and circumstances. He also invites me into adventures which both stretch my faith, and bring a great sense of purpose.

2. Abide. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NASB). Abiding is a verb made up of other verbs — seeking, desiring, and drawing near to God (James 4:8). Psalm 37:4 describes what this looks like: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” A life of adventure with God comes when we join Him in the work He invites us into. Abiding is far more, and better, than coming up with our own good idea, and asking God to bless it.

3. Obey. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message). “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV). “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jeremiah 33:3, The Message). These verses speak for themselves, and Jeremiah 33:3 inspired the song Call to Me. They have been so powerful in leading me into a faith filled adventure with God. He has special plans and purposes for each of us, which are beyond what we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I pray for God’s revelation and blessing over your journey with Him.

Which step toward adventure is most meaningful in your life right now?