Nichole Nordeman

Shelter Me … But Not Too Much
Nichole's eyes have been opened to the world she never knew, the same world where Christ is desperately needed

by Michael Herman

Nichole Nordeman's solid spiritual foundation was built early in her life. She attended a Christian school and was active in church, so her "world" was pretty much sheltered in the arms of other Christians.

High school graduation changed all of that in a heartbeat. When she enrolled in a mainstream college, the "real world" broke through her shelter and seemed more like an "unreal world" to Nichole in many ways. She realized, however, that God wanted to teach her new things about himself through her new experiences. But, as she tells us here, often she had to learn the hard way.

Nichole serves the same God as you and I. She sings about our Father a lot better than most of us. And she knows the feeling and reality of being loved by a God so great that she can't help but want to praise him in everything she does.

In this interview, Nichole talks about her music, her love of the Lord, and the lessons and examples he's taught her that we can all embrace.

Peer Pressure

"I had a very strong foundation for my faith early in life. I think that's where I learned how to have a strong sense of self and self-esteem. In the Christian school environment if you're doing drugs, having sex, and drinking, then you're unpopular—just the opposite of the way it is in most public schools.

"Peer pressure was never an issue. At my school we had chapel, Bible study, and Bible class. I wasn't made fun of in that environment for taking part in those things. So in that respect, during some real formative years, I was able to make some very healthy choices just because of my environment. Of course, there's a flip side to that, too, in terms of just being so sheltered. I was in for the shock of my life when I went to college.

Sharing Christ

"I didn't go to a Christian college. And college was so different from my other schools. I would say, 'Oh my, what's that? Why is that person drinking beer at a party? What's that all about?' I was just so naïve and ill-equipped to deal with those kinds of things. The way I was taught to deal with this was to witness. In any situation, just cram the gospel down somebody's throat! But I learned it's not effective at all if you aren't sensitive to the situation and the Holy Spirit. So I am embarrassed when I look back on those days. I didn't have a lot of discernment.

"I think I learned how to share my faith by just making mistakes. I learned you don't argue people into a relationship with Christ. For many years I thought that was the way you were supposed to do it.

"I used to just love taking people on and debating with them. I'd think, yeah, I just debated my non-Christian friend. Man, I pummeled him. We were talking about creationism and I was just showing him this verse and that verse. Suddenly my Bible was used as ammunition. You know, you just don't argue people into the arms of Christ. I finally figured that out. People aren't responsive to that. They never were responsive to it. They still aren't responsive to it. And it's why Christianity gets such a bad rap sometimes.

"At this stage in life I think I'm just learning how ineffective that was. And I'm learning that what's more effective is saying 'Let me share my experience with you. This is who I am. This is where I've been. This is what having Christ in my life has meant to me. This is the peace that he has brought me.' I want to communicate that through what my experience has been. I want to form a relationship with them first, and then share with them instead of just beating them over the head with my faith.

The Industry

"I think so much of what hinders us from being vessels and letting God speak through us are our egos and our self-esteem. And that's a tough thing even in Christian music to find the right balance. There are photo shoots and interviews, and everything's about YOU. It's always all about you. I have to balance that with getting out of the way. It's almost an oxymoron.

"I always hope and pray that people see me for who I am. There is such a temptation for Christians to put artists on pedestals and to give them responsibility and authority, and to make them role models even when it's not always appropriate to do that.

"I don't feel like an authority on much except for my own experience. I don't feel like a role model either. I think it's a dangerous thing when artists, who are regular people, are put up on pedestals. We just write about our experiences and share because God has called us to share.

"I always pray that people will leave my shows feeling as though they could sit down, have a cup of coffee, and just hang with me. I want them to recognize my humanity, weaknesses, and failings just like anybody else. I hope they really hear the words of the songs and are encouraged to be honest in their own relationships with Christ. I hope that somehow through my music they will feel a freedom to ask real questions and to be vulnerable and open. That's what I want my music to do.

Her Music

"I love to perform live even though it's not something I've always been good at. I've been a closet songwriter for so long that it was a big step for me to sing in front of a couple hundred people who actually bought tickets to see me. That was a totally bizarre concept to me at first. I'm starting to feel more comfortable and confident in performing. When I feel more confident, I'm able to really share my story and the story behind the songs.

"I'm so encouraged when I get to talk to people after my shows. Sometimes they tell me that the Lord used a specific song or even a specific line in a song to really speak to them. That blows my mind. Those are the times when I am really fed. Time and time again I'm shocked that God would choose to use me in others' lives that way.

"Those are the times when I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and that God is using me. When someone says to me, 'You have a beautiful voice,' or 'You sure can play the piano well,' that feels good. But it's so different when someone says to me, 'I heard the Lord tonight,' or 'I saw the Lord tonight,' because of something I said. It has nothing to do with me. I just got out of the way. That is so powerful.

Jesus Christ

"If I had a time machine, I would love to travel to biblical times and walk in the circle of the disciples. I just think it would be amazing to really see Christ in action. I wonder if it would be the way we think it was.

"We have the Bible, but so much of our faith has been shaped by culture and by the way the Bible is presented to us on Sunday mornings by our pastors and by the way Christian artists write and sing about the Bible. I just wonder what really happened? I wonder what it was like that day on the Mount of Olives? What was it like when there were just a couple of pieces of bread and then everybody was full? I can't even imagine. And, again, we just sort of tell it as a neat little story.

"I would love to have just walked with him, behind him, next to him, and to have seen the gospel in action. I think I'd be really surprised at how much we have distorted it in modern-day Christianity.

Steven Curtis & Margaret

"Margaret Becker is the same way for me. She's been a real mentor to me through some difficult, career-related decisions."

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