Inspiration from "The Voice of Truth"

From the first time I heard Casting Crowns' "The Voice of Truth" on the radio more than a decade ago (just checked and it was probably 2003-2004, which is almost impossible to believe!), I identified strongly with the message. Oh what I would do to have that kind of faith .... to climb out of my boat onto the crashing waves ...  to step out of my comfort zone ... to stand before a giant ...

I also quickly recognized it wasn't a song I would be likely to sing. It wasn't in my vocal range, and it had way too many words to get straight.

It's a song that has continued to be played on contemporary Christian radio, and its message continued to resonate each time I heard it. But I still never really considered adding it to my collection of solos I can sing with accompaniment CDs.

Then I volunteered earlier this year to do a program for the United Methodist Women unit at my church. As I worked on the program, about identifying and responding to our spiritual call, the words and imagery of "The Voice of Truth" kept playing in my head. It speaks of how my tendency is to let fear hold me back, rather than listening to God's voice of truth that tells me not to be afraid and to step out in faith.

So I started learning the song to sing when I did the program.

Both times I was scheduled to give my program, it ended up not working out, first because I got the flu, and the second time because the meeting was canceled due to weather concerns. I wondered if I would ever share the song, which I didn't think would stand on its own for worship.

When the opportunity to present a solo at worship last Sunday presented itself, I tried to think of what would go best with the sermon and Father's Day. None of the songs I have done before seemed right. I thought about "The Voice of Truth," but it seemed like a stretch. I couldn't shake the idea, though, so I began to practice it again.

And that's when I realized that it didn't seem like a song I would be able to sing effectively. The vocal range is too wide, and there are too many words with a rock beat. But I'd already given the title for the printed order of worship. so I reminded myself it didn't have to be perfect. I just needed to do the best I could and hope that somehow people would be able to understand enough of the words to get the point of the message.

It ended up going much better than I could have imagined.

I am glad I didn't let obstacles keep me from sharing this message of faith.

When I posted it to Facebook, I noted that the Father’s Day litany at Goodrich UMC made me think of my dad and Gene’s dad and others who spoke and speak truth into our lives. I dedicated “The Voice Of Truth” by Casting Crowns to the memory of the encouragement, support and words of wisdom of Charles Davidson and Curtis Gilliland.

https://www.facebook.com/pat.gilliland.35/videos/1955801731105948/