Nichole Nordeman - What If Lyrics

What If Video

What If Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

"What If" is a song by Nichole Nordeman, a Christian songwriter, and singer. The song was released in 2005 as part of her album, "Brave." The song is a beautiful representation of the struggles that people face when they are trying to reconcile their faith with the doubts that they have about God.



The Meaning of "What If"

"What If" is a song that explores the questions that people have about God's existence and their faith. The song starts with a series of "what ifs" that question the validity of believing in God. The narrator asks, "What if you're right? And he was just another nice guy."

The song then goes on to question the impact of the cross and the reality of Jesus' life. The narrator asks, "They say the cross will only make a fool of you. And what if it's true?" The song then questions the significance of Jesus' place in history, asking, "What if he takes his palace in history with all the prophets and the kings?"

The song then changes tone, asking the question, "But what if you're wrong? What if there's more? What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?" The song then explores the idea of faith, asking the listener to take a leap into the unknown, saying, "What if you jump? And just close your eyes? What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?"

The song concludes with the idea that God's love is more than enough, saying, "What if He's more than enough? What if it's love?"

The Inspiration Behind "What If"

In an interview with CCM Magazine, Nichole Nordeman stated that she was inspired to write "What If" after having a conversation with a friend about faith. She said, "I was sitting down with a friend of mine who was just coming out of a really dark time in his life, and he was asking me all these questions about faith. And I was just struck by his vulnerability, but also by the fact that I had no answers for him."

Nordeman went on to say that the song was her attempt to explore the questions that her friend was asking and to provide a sense of hope for those who struggle with doubt.

Bible Verses Referenced in "What If"

"What If" references several Bible verses throughout the song. The most obvious reference is to the cross, which is a central tenet of the Christian faith. The song questions whether the cross is a symbol of foolishness, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

The song also references the idea of hope, which is a central theme in the Bible. Romans 15:13 states, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Finally, the song references the idea of love, which is the central message of the Bible. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Practical Application of "What If"

"What If" is a song that speaks to the struggles that many people have with their faith. It asks difficult questions and acknowledges the doubts that people have about God's existence and the validity of their faith. However, the song also offers a sense of hope and the idea that God's love is more than enough.

As Christians, it is important to acknowledge the doubts that we have and to be honest with ourselves and with God. We should not be afraid to ask difficult questions or to explore our doubts. However, we should also remember that God's love is more than enough and that we can trust in Him even when we don't have all the answers.

In conclusion, "What If" is a beautiful song that speaks to the struggles that many people have with their faith. It offers a sense of hope and reminds us that God's love is more than enough. As Christians, we should be honest about our doubts and our struggles, but we should also remember to trust in God and to have faith that He is with us, even in the midst of our doubts.