I love hymns. I really strive to write songs that portray the Gospel in its glory, as many hymns do. This is one of my favorites, though it’s always troubled me to just sing “I Surrender All” and not mean it. Beautiful words and a beautiful melody can make surrender seem easy and pleasant. Not so much. Those words are massive, mind-blowing. So, I decided to add on a chorus (believe me, I’m not trying to improve on the amazing song) that brought more description to what “I surrender all” means. Every thought, every word, every deed, this is my worship to You.

The story of Judson W. Van DeVenter is also quite inspiring. Here’s a simple summary in his own words:

“For many years I had been studying art. My whole life was wrapped up in its pursuit and the thing farthest from my mind was active Christian service. My dream was to become an outstanding and famous artist. After graduating from college, I studied drawing and painting under a well-known German teacher. To help me financially, I taught school and eventually I became supervisor of art in the public schools of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

It was during this period in my life that a revival was held in the First Methodist Church of which I was a member. I became very interested in these meetings as a personal worker. The Spirit of God was urging me to give up teaching and to enter the evangelistic field, but I would not yield. I still had a burning desire to be an artist. This battle raged for five years. At last the time came when I could hold out no longer and I surrendered my all-my time and my talents. It was then that a new day was ushered into my life. I wrote I Surrender All in memory of the time when, after the long struggle, I had surrendered and dedicated my life to active Christian service for the Lord.”

It’s interesting to see how the Spirit of God led Judson to his final surrender. God knows what is best for us and patient with us when we don’t trust Him right away.

It’s also humbling to partner with Judson so many years after his death to sing this beautiful song. I pray it stirs you to give your all to Jesus.

Through my battle with dermatomyositis, this is a song that placed air in my lungs when I could barely breathe (figuratively, that is). Not because it’s such a well crafted song, but because the Scriptures are truly life-giving. I needed a song that voiced these truths for me, even though I was too weak to sing it.

Hebrews has always been one of my favorite books, due to its glorification and vivid description of Jesus as our high priest. There is nothing we face on this earth that causes Jesus to spill His coffee and fall off his throne. I have been on the verge of despair many times, but the truth that we “do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet with out sin” (Heb. 4:15), can keep the most depressed soul afloat – mine included.

Oh, where would I be without the Savior Jesus who intercedes for me!

The verses of this song speak of human weakness and God’s strength. The chorus is a cry to draw near to God with lines taken directly from Scripture (I hope the writer of Hebrews isn’t upset with me in Heaven!).

This is what we must do in times of pain and times of joy – always draw near to our God who loves us and carries our burdens. My heart seems to return to the truth of this song and these scriptures quite often because I’m so prone to forget!

My challenge to you today is this: feed your soul with the rock-solid Truth of Scripture. Don’t just read it like you read a good novel or watch a good movie. Hang on every word. Apply it to your darkest circumstances. Believe it till your last, dying breath. God’s Word will never let you down.

When all is lost
When all seems broken
I tell myself that You are worthy
There is no pain
There is no struggle
You have not felt and cannot conquer

We have this great High Priest
Jesus, the righteous Son of God
We have this Sovereign King
Who’s given us access to His throne

So let us draw near with hearts of faith
To find all we need at the throne of grace
Let us draw near to God
Let us draw near to His heart

When my heart is weak
No song seems to surface
I stir up my soul to bow in worship
There is no time
No season, no suffering
Where You are no longer worth my offering

We will draw near
We will draw near to You, O Lord
We will draw near
Press into knowing You, Jesus

As you may have noticed, the word ‘glory’ shows up quite a bit throughout this album. Glory is one of my favorite words when relating to God. Though it will never describe the fullness of his countenance, it gives vivid description here on earth.

Habakkuk declares,

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (2:14).

One of the key visions of this album and of my music is to awaken a passion for the glory of God. Habbakuk also mentions in 2:3,

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

What is the vision? The vision is the glory of God filling the earth as the waters cover the sea. I have tried my best to make it plain and do what I can in drawing attention to His greatness. As the song says, this is the hour for the church of Jesus to raise the banner. We must rise up and give our lives for Christ’s glory.

What are you contributing?

Let the nations come to see Your rising glory
Let every heart be satisfied as they glimpse your beauty
Let the worshipers come forth and take their rightful place
Calling out across the earth, “This is the day of praise”

Jesus, make us holy
Savior, inspire a passion for what is worthy

As the waters cover the sea
Let the earth be filled with Your glory

Let the broken be made whole
Let the weakened souls be strong
Let the fearful ones take heart
Let the prodigals come home
Let righteousness prevail in our homes and churches
Help us run this holy race with perseverance

This is the hour for the church of Jesus to raise the banner
For what we believe to really matter
To see Your glory rise
How can we say we follow with heart set on earthly idols?
It’s time to lift our vision higher
To see Your glory rise