The day I moved to Nashville in the Spring of 2000 after twenty years in South Florida, my head began spinning.

A few weeks before while playing golf with my new Pastor and boss, I asked about my responsibilities on the first Sunday. He casually told me that someone else would be leading the music, and he would like me to sing a solo. When I asked who the worship leader would be (since that was to be my primary job), he replied Michael W. Smith.

I said, “Oh, and you want me to do a solo.” He smiled and said, “Yep.”

I could feel my self-confidence crumbling as I realized Randy was not in Kansas anymore. I was in Music City, USA and my paying job was to be a musician (and a leader of some of the best musicians in the world) and I had to put up or shut up. I had walked out on stage alone in front of thousands of people my entire life to sing, no big deal, but not with Michael W. Smith sitting on the front row. My stomach tightened at the thought.

Somehow I managed it, and after three, count ’em, three services, I mean solos—my family, my new Pastor’s family, and Michael’s entire family went to lunch at the stunning Legends Golf and Country club together. As I washed my hands in the locker room, head spinning, Rick, my Pastor, came in and instantly realized I was a bit overwhelmed.

He then told me one of the most important things anyone has ever told me.

“Randy, this town will mess with your head. There is only one real thing you need to do to survive. Michael W. Smith, his family, and all the rest of the celebrities and recording artists you sang for this morning need you to be Randy. Don’t try to be someone else to impress them. Don’t try to be what you think they want you to be. Just be Randy. Be yourself. That’s what they need from you. They need YOU. The real you. The “what they see is what they get” you!”

I’ll never forget this conversation. It instantly bolstered my self-confidence.

I realized I could do that. I could be myself. And if that’s what everyone needs, no matter their notoriety or lack thereof, I could do this.

Inevitably over the past twelve years in Music City, the only time my stomach would tighten up, was when I forgot this simple truth.

Don’t work at being something you are not, simply be yourself.

Offering ourselves to others is the greatest gift we can give.

Question: What thoughts come to mind for you?

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