Is That Who I Think It Is??

Some people have issues with going to a big church. I used to be one of those people, actually.

"It's like going to a conference every Sunday!" I'd say.

"I'm just not cut out for a mega-church," I thought. Well, as usual, the Lord took another opportunity prove me dead wrong.

Because now He's showing me just how much He really can bless my socks off through a living part of the Body called a mega-church. We've been members of one in the North Georgia area for a couple of months, have gotten involved in a small Sunday School class, and are loving it.

Now, I want you to back up with me a little bit. Picture me in my van, kids at home asleep as I am heading to the gym in the early morning hours. Very early. This isn't a dream, I actually used to do this. I still go to the gym (sometimes) but it's usually with all the kids in the mid-morning. Whatever.

Anyway, the image is better the way I used to do it: early morning, no kiddos, jamming OUT to "In Christ Alone" by Travis Cottrell. Loud. This version of this song (it's on the Alive Forever CD) is one of the most perfect worship songs ever written, I think. I had heard the song before, even sang it at church before, but Travis slows the tempo down...and the lyrics just POP.

The first time I heard it was at the Women of Faith conference in Atlanta last year. Beth Moore was the guest speaker for the Friday afternoon session, and she has Travis Cottrell lead worship for her. I can totally understand why. A.MA.ZING.

Yesterday, I walked into our Worship Center while the congregation was singing its first song with the choir. I didn't notice anything different, but since we usually sit up front, I noticed that Scott, our regular Minister of Music was leading the orchestra and not the congregation...

Someone else comes from the back of the stage holding the microphone...someone who looks SO familiar...gasp...could it be???

I leaned into my husband's "space" and said, "I think that's Travis Cottrell!"

Travis started to speak, and because I spoke the narrator's part in the Easter musical that he wrote last year, called "3:16", I know his speaking voice probably even better than his singing voice because of the listening CD.

It was when he spoke that I knew I was right. I consciously remember staying very composed, and leaning into my husband's "space" again, I calmly whispered, "It IS Travis Cottrell!"

Then the very second I said that, the very first note of "In Christ Alone" began. Excitement welled up in my soul at the thought of being able to worship collectively with several thousand people with this angelic version of this song!

I remained poised, reverent and still.

My husband said I was acting like I was at a Monkees concert.




Let me just say for the record: No, I most certainly was not.

When it was over, my DH and I, together with our boys and another family of friends were walking out and met up with Travis on his way out. We shook hands and talked on our way out of the Worship Center like we were old friends. I even told him what my DH said, because I'm that secure in that I didn't act like that. Sheesh. But let me say this: he is every bit as cordial and friendly as he seems. What a relief; a celebrity who knows he's still human.

You, my friends, simply must partake of this Divinely inspired song...and turn it up.