Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

Song Story: "Way of Surrender"

Now that my album has finally been released, I will begin posting the remainder of my song stories. My intention here is to take you little deeper into why the song was written, how the song was written, and what it means to me.

“Way of Surrender” was the first song I ever wrote that I actually liked. Prior to this song were attempts at songwriting that were shameful, to say the least (though all songwriters need to write a lot of bad songs before they write a good one). Of all the songs on this album, this may be the most special to me.

I sought to articulate a couple of truths:

  • That to follow Jesus means walking a path of surrender and dying to self
  • That following Jesus is the greatest joy and pleasure in life
  • That our true “calling” and highest aim in life must be to know and love Jesus Christ

Remember those early junior high/high school years where you are asking the question (and a million other people are asking you), “What am I going to do with my life? What is my calling?” I didn’t really know the specifics of what I was going to do at the time of this writing, but I did know this: I wanted to live in the presence of God and love Him with all of my heart.

This song is a constant reminder to me of who I am and what I am about. When I don’t feel this way, I sing this to myself and stir up the passion again. I hope it is a blessing to you.

My heart is stirred by just one thing – to know You, God
To come before You every day and stand in awe
To live within Your presence, Lord, is the call upon my life
This interchange of holy love is the source of my delight

This is my pleasure
This one thing do I long for

Jesus, You are my love
Reigning forever as Lord of my heart
Jesus, You are the way
The Way of Surrender I walk each day

The closer that I come to You the more I die
The more I come to realize “to live is Christ”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, they will see God”
For they are set apart and set upon this walk of love

More than pleasures, more than fame
More than these gifts I long for Your face
More than the riches I treasure in vain
More than this life I long for Your face

Father Let Me Dedicate

Father, let me dedicate,
All this year to thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be:
Not from sorrow, pain or care,
Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify thy Name.

Can a child presume to choose
Where or how to live?
Can a Father’s love refuse
All the best to give?
More thou givest every day
Than the best can claim
Nor withholdest aught that may
Glorify thy Name.

If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how thy dear Son
To his glory came,
And in deepest woe pray on,
“Glorify thy Name.”

If in mercy thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine;
If on life, serene and fair,
Brighter rays may shine;
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Thee in all proclaim,
And, whate’er the future brings,
Glorify thy Name.

Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864

Wide Awake Study Guide: Chapter 3

ADAPT – The Alchemist

• Have you ever had huge dreams and ideas for a big life you know you were supposed to live, but you felt you were somehow ill equipped, or improperly trained? Tell the group about your experience.

• Tell someone in the group an aspect of greatness you see in them. What potential do you see?

• Read the quote below. Describe a challenge in your life that God has used to make you a better person.

“The more challenging your circumstances, the greater your opportunity to see God raise you to new levels of living.”

• Read the first paragraph of ‘raising the bar’ on page 71. What does the author mean by unstoppable?

• What is at your core? Do you have any convictions for which you would be willing to risk everything? Name some of them.

“The life of your dreams needs to be rooted in a desire to serve others.”
• Tell the group your current profession. How are you serving others through it?

• Most of us cannot alter our lives in a day. What small steps can you take to fulfill your dream? Share your thoughts.

Don't let others dictate your passion

Ever step into a room after spending time with Jesus and find that people aren’t as passionate as you are? You feel like Jesus is coming back in five minutes and it seems everyone else is sleeping?

Sometimes we can allow the passion level of who we are with dictate how we will be. As a worship leader, I succumb to this all too often. I’ll be excited to press into the presence of God and it seems no one wants to come with me.

Do I lead the way with my passion for God or just relax?

What should you do?

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

I love this verse. Fervent means to have great intensity. Our zeal for Jesus should be burning hot at all times. When it is not, we should cry out to God and press into Him even harder.

Here’s my challenge: Don’t let other dictate your passion level for Jesus. Be a leader. I’ve heard it said to be a thermostat, not a thermometer.

If you live this way, you will bring others to a higher level.