Iconic contemporary singer Chris Tomlin has sold millions of albums and won several GRAMMY, Dove, American Music, and Billboard Music Awards. He's also one of only four artists in digital music history to accumulate over one billion digital radio streams of music. He has had many major hits over the years including "Good Good Father," "Our God," and "How Great Is Our God."
Chris has been releasing music for over 20 years. His songs are played in churches around the world. Let's look at two songs from his recent project, Always.
O Lord You're Beautiful (feat. Steffany Gretzinger)
Oh Lord, please light the fire
(Light the fire)
That once burned bright and clear
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear
I was drawn to this song as soon as I saw that worship artist Steffany Gretzinger was the featured artist on it. Her vigorous passion for Jesus is similar to a fire, drawing those around closer and contagiously setting them ablaze. The raw lyrics she sings in tandem with Chris on this song struck me afresh with love for Him.
The purity of this cry, to "replace the lamp of my first love" is incredible to me because I know firsthand how easy it is to get sucked into the world. However, I also know that it was neither Steffany nor Chris who originally had the heart of worship, but rather their creator, Jesus Christ. With delicate hands, He placed this zeal within them, knowing it would speak to thousands, even considering the effect it would have on me. All that to say, He's a thoughtful God who mapped out our influence before we were even born. There is indeed a plan for our lives, a precious plan He prepared long ago ready to come to fruition now. Oh, He's so beautiful.
YAHWEH (No One) feat. Elevation Worship
There will be no other God before You (No, no) There will be no other God before You (oh no other God) There is no one above You, no one beside You And nobody like You (nobody like You)
The song's music video is captivating not only because of its energy, but because I know this song like the back of my hand. From the moment it was released to helping a friend sing this on a special Sunday, the catchy "no one's " has been stuck in my mind and heart. I hope you're drawn to it as much as I am.
Aside from the plethora of musical vamps that speak directly to my inner worship leader, there is tangible respect for the Lord in these lyrics. "Holy is Your name/I don't want to take it in vain," Chris sings with an evident reverence for Jesus. I pray that God would continue to transform our hearts to such a level where every action lifts Jesus. Everyday actions that give Him all the glory.
I pray this not only for myself and you, the reader but also for leaders already on a platform. Just because their voice is projected in stadiums, doesn't mean they don't need prayer as well. Something changes within us when we choose to pray for others. Why don't we start crying out right now for the hearts leading us to worship? Praise Jesus for their dedication, may He preserve that love forevermore.
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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