Standing in line last week to board a plane to Nashville. Gee, I thought to myself. That voice sounds familiar.
Turned around to see none other than Steven Curtis Chapman. We were on the same flight!
Might not have recognized him except for his voice. I’d heard his voice in an interview on Joy FM earlier that morning and a thousand times before. Added up, I’ve been listening to this man sing for 20 years.
The line was moving fast and soon he was out of reach. I’ll look for him on the plane, I thought.
That didn’t happen either because I found a front row seat. I happily spent the short flight sitting between a man who slept the entire time and a lovely 84-year-old woman who recounted to me her adventures traveling the world with her late husband. She may get a post of her own.
But before the plane took off, I updated my Facebook status: Steven Curtis Chapman is on my flight to Nashville!
When we deplaned an hour later, I figured I’d lost my chance to speak to him. Then I turned on my iPhone to check messages. A dozen excited Facebook comments popped up on my status along with a groundswell of likes.
Oh, dear. I vowed if I saw him again I would speak to him. I had to. For the team. And I got my chance in baggage claim. Yes, he carries his own luggage.
The businesswoman in me firmly shook his hand while the fan in me gushed and giggled. He was so gracious, so unpretentious, so normal.
Who among us cannot relate to the story of his songs and the story of his life? Love. Grace. Salvation. Adoption. Triumph. Tragedy. Grief. Mercy. Renewal.
(1990) Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear, I will be here.
(1992) Go on and say what you need to say while it’s still called today.
(1996) But when it all comes down, you know it all comes down to the walk.
(1999) So sink or swim I’m diving in.
(2004) You spoke and made the sun rise to light up the very first day.
(2008) It’s all Yours, God. Yours, God. Everything is Yours.
(2009) Out of these ashes, beauty will rise.
(2011) Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you.
Keep singing, Mr. Chapman. The team’s listening and loving every word.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3 NLT
Hmm, what video to link up here. You choose: Dive or Do Everything or both. How’s that for interactive?
St. Louis area readers may like to know Steven Curtis Chapman will be singing in our city on October 13th. He will be joined by special guests Andrew Peterson and Josh Wilson. At time of publication only a few tickets remained. Get thee to joyfmonline.org quick.