A Retrospective Testimony

Writing “Greater Than Me” felt like a fluke, if I’m honest. Either a fluke or completely by divine inspiration.

I had decided that I wanted to sing something original for a church youth night. I sat down, and pulled out my guitar, playing around with a couple of chord riffs. I am not the most skilled or practiced guitarist - I had just started learning barre chords and the entire song was written in barre. For some reason it all came together quickly and easily.

Then came the words of the verse. In the moment, I couldn’t have said who I was writing the song for. I had vague ideas of encouragement of my peers, my friends, but nothing too solid. In reality, I was completing exams, dealing with the passing of my grandfather and my mother’s cancer diagnosis.

In all, for chords and words, I might have spent an hour getting the song down with a few tweaks here and there, adding in a quick harmony. I have never so easily written a song before or since.

In the moment, it was easy to trivialise the song - it was catchy and I was happy at how well it hung together. But ever since I wrote it, I have been continually blessed by the words of the song, always encouraging myself to look to God, not just because He is bigger than my problems, but also because He’s bigger than the things I’m dreaming of. I drew heavily on the scripture in Ephesians 3:20 (AMPC)

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the <action of His> power that is at work within us, is able to <carry out His purpose and> do superabundantly, far over and above all that we <dare> ask or think <infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams>—”.

I hope that you are encouraged as I am when I listen back to this song, to trust in our great, big, strong God!