The debut release Where the Light Is from Dan Bremnes features the hit "Beautiful" along with the new single "Where the Light Is." It was a six-month mission trip in Australia that shaped Dan's perspective: "While I was there, something happened in my life, and God started working on my heart," Bremnes shares. "I started thinking about making music that was really intentional about reaching people on a spiritual level. I wanted to come right out and speak about God and my relationship with Him."
 
"Where the Light Is" has really been resonating with me as I realize that Jesus commands us to trust God completely no matter our circumstances or personal distractions or concerns. This song has become a personal prayer for me in the style of songs like "Something Beautiful" by NEEDTOBREATHE, "Help Me Find It" by Sidewalk Prophets and "Start a Fire" by Unspoken. I had the chance to speak with Dan about "Where the Light is."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

I grew up like many do in North America, raised in church. My dad is a Pastor and I knew a lot of great theology, and I grew up in a good community with good people. The flip side is, I didn't know differently. I didn't know God. I didn't realize how good "The Light" was. I knew all the right answers, but didn't really know Jesus. I had head knowledge but no heart knowledge.

I faced a tragedy in 2006 when I lost my mother in a car accident. I was out of the country when I received the phone call that she died. For the first time I was in complete darkness and realized how much I needed Jesus. He became my only lifeline and in my darkest hour, He found me. 

It was easy for me to think that people outside of the church needed Jesus, but now I realized that I needed Him. This song came out of the darkest part of my life. I was born into the light, so to speak. I needed to find Jesus while I was in the Light. It was so easy for Jesus to be my parent's God, and that other person's God. When we reach the bottom and we have nothing else, we can reach to God. He's so gracious to take us in every time. I cried out "God, I need You." Although I was still overwhelmed by my situation, I felt this peace from the hand of God really pulling me through that situation, and He's continued to pour out His grace over me the past several years.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

John 8:12 (MSG): Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."

Psalm 22:24 (NIV): For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

Psalm 71:1-3 (NIV): In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.

Colossians 1:12 (NKJV): "Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (VOICE): For I passed down to you the crux of it all which I had also received from others, that the Anointed One, the Liberating King, died for our sins and was buried and raised from the dead on the third day. All this happened to fulfill the Scriptures; it was the perfect climax to God's covenant story.

What is the takeaway message?

In John 8:12, Jesus says that He is "the light of the world." That means that no matter what kind of darkness we face, no matter how far we think we are, we have a lifeline that will pull us into the light. Not just once, but every single time. Every single day. There is no limit to the amount of times we can reach out. We're not just "saved" once, we are continually being saved and brought into the light. 

I really learned to discover the goodness of Jesus through a personal tragedy. The peace I experienced was a peace that passed my understanding, as Scripture describes. When God has our hearts, that when it all starts to click. My prayer is that my music pulls people closer to God's presence.

Lyrics:
This is me 
Grew up in church 
Raised on the gospel trained in the word 
Had a faith so fearless thought it was all I needed 
But life hit me hard 
More than I planned
It knocked me down 
Like an avalanche 
On the edge of hopeless I called you from the darkness
 
God, come quickly 
Only You can save me 
Will You lead me where the light is 
God be with me 
Don't know where I'm going 
Will You lead me where the light is
I've been living in the dark 
I've been looking for daylight,
You're my daylight 
So God, come quickly 
Only You can save me 
And lead me where the light is
 
There's no hurt 
No scar or bruise 
There's not a wound 
Too deep for You Cause 
You're everything 
You say You are 
You're bigger than a broken heart
So hear me now, hear me now, I'm calling 
 
When I'm lost in the night 
When I'm losing the fight 
Lead me where the light is
When the tears fill my eyes 
When the hope's hard to find 
Lead me where the light is

Sometimes Christians know facts about the Bible but don't live out the Truth that the Holy Spirit is living inside of us. Jesus said in Luke 12:49 (NKJV): "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" Before God created man, He created light. God sent Jesus so that we could have light return. As believers that's our story and also our challenge, to think about how we are reflecting the light of Jesus and how we are spending our time before we die.

God wants to hear from you. Get to that place where you are in humble submission to God, and don't play it safe. Take a chance and ask for God to be real in your life. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to God. More than just intellectual assent, God wants to be at the center of our heart's desires. We change our minds quickly, but our hearts are more devoted.

The song includes some great faith statements: "There's no hurt, No scar or bruise, There's not a wound too deep for You, Cause You're everything You say You are, You're bigger than a broken heart." I sing along at the top of my lungs the sincere and emotive lyrics of submission in the refrain. A great challenge in this song is to make these words your personal prayer: "So God, come quickly, Only You can save me, and lead me where the light is." Amen to that!

(Listen to the song here.)