Canadian Christian singer and songwriter Dan Bremnes is one of many Canadian artists who has made a name for himself in the Christian music scene. His story began in 2015 with the release of his debut album Where the Light Is. The album spawned the hit songs "Beautiful" and "Where the Light Is." After some record label troubles, Dan returned in 2019 with his second album, Wherever I Go. Both albums charted well, and he went on notable tours, such as Winter Jam. His most recent release, Into the Wild, picks up where Wherever I Go leaves off.
The new album invites listeners to leave fear behind and allow God to guide them. It has energy, infectious enthusiasm, and celebratory messages of faith. Dan's vocals, upbeat melodies, and Jason Mraz-like musical inflection bring home the album’s solid gospel messages. He delivers the message that no matter how we feel about ourselves, beauty remains.
Into the Wild’s recent singles "Hold Me Tight," "No One Loves Me Like You Do," "Wouldn’t Change a Thing" and "Lover of My Soul" have caught the attention of many listeners. I had the chance to speak with Dan about "Lover of My Soul."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
When I started making the album, I set two rules for myself. The first was to write my best songs yet and make sure they were good in terms of how they were written and produced. The second was to be completely honest in my songs. Sometimes, as I grow as an artist, I can get worried about being successful and played on the radio, and what my listeners want to hear, which can be distracting. That's why there are some love songs on this album that I didn't plan to write, but they just came out naturally, even if they don't fit what's typically played on the radio. This is one of those songs.
This song came from the idea that I will never be perfect. I can try, but it will never happen. No matter what I do, I will never fully meet the standard of perfection in God's eyes. I accept that I will have good and bad days. But I also recognize that God's love for me is unconditional and surpasses anything I can do or become. The realization that God created me and intimately knows me more than anyone, including my wife and children, fills me with the certainty that He is the lover of my soul. That's what this song is about.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 51:10-11(NKJV): "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me."
Psalm 103:6-18(MSG): "God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat you as our sins deserve, nor pay you back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love for those who fear Him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated you from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear Him."
Isaiah 25:4 (NLV): “For You have been a strong place for those who could not help themselves and for those in need because of much trouble. You have been a safe place from the storm and a shadow from the heat. For the breath of the one who shows no pity is like a storm against a wall.”
Romans 8:28(VOICE): "We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
James 1:18-19(VOICE): "We have a special role in His plan. He calls you to life by His message of truth so that we will show the rest of His creatures His goodness and love. Listen, open your ears, harness your desire to speak, and don't get worked up into a rage so easily, my brothers and sisters."
James 4:14(NKJV): "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV): “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1 John 4:18-19(NKJV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."
What is the takeaway message?
"Lover of My Soul" is a song from my album that always reminds me, every time I listen to it, that God loves me, no matter what I've done or said. This idea of unearned grace is a theme throughout this song and something that I want to communicate. I think, sometimes, we act as if we can earn God's grace, placing people and ourselves on different levels, but that’s not the truth. We are deeply loved, no matter what we do or don’t do. That is the message I hope people take away from this song.
Lyrics
My soul My soul My soul My soul
I don't think I'll ever understand How You love me You give me breath, You give me life and I Give You every reason to leave
You stay here Even when I don't believe You stay right here Your kindness is a mystery
Even if I fall A thousand times You won't let go You won't let go Even if I run And try to hide You hold me close You're the lover of my soul, soul, soul
No one else would dare to love this heart If they saw what's inside You know my thoughts, all my secrets But still, You offer me life
You stay here
Even if I fall A thousand times You won't let go You won't let go Even if I run And try to hide You hold me close You're the lover of my soul, soul, soul The lover of my soul, soul, soul
All my love, all my heart, all my life is Yours All my love, all my heart, all my life is Yours
Even if I fall A thousand times You won't let go You won't let go Even if I run And try to hide You hold me close You're the lover of my soul, soul, soul Lover of my soul, soul, soul The lover of my soul, soul, soul You're the lover of my soul
Closing Thoughts
Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life by spending time listening to Him. He'll make you free. With everything going on in our world, you need the encouragement that God is with you and you're not alone. There is no day, no hour of the day, in which our Lord Jesus is not present.
Are you spending too much time thinking about your circumstances and what you can do to improve them or are you connecting with God's heart? Matthew 6:34 suggests not to worry about tomorrow and that living faithfully is a large enough task for today. God says not to fear or worry 365 times in the Bible, as a daily reminder to connect with His heart and be satisfied with a fresh filling of Him and His Holy Spirit.
If God is with you, you can endure anything. Your identity is found in Him as your father and whom you are as His child, loved by Him. To walk by faith and be guided in their daily walk by prayer and the Bible is key for a follower of Jesus. Joy is not just a happy emotion, but also a deep peace and understanding, knowing that you are loved without a shadow of a doubt.
You should not be ashamed to sing of your dependence on God and to show Him reverence. To submit to God is to see the true beauty and allow Him to take you to places you can't handle on your own. God's grace and strength are perfectly revealed through your weaknesses, and nothing can earn your way into heaven, Jesus already paid the price for you.
My pastor uses the acronym "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" to define grace. God's mercy and grace are new each day, pouring out His mercy despite your actions. You should trust in Jesus completely and not be afraid. He loves you intimately and wants to fill your heart with love. You don't have to pretend, hide, strive, or stand on your tiptoes to meet some mark. He knows your brokenness and sees you as righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross.
It's not your righteousness, appearance, talent, or gifting, it's just Jesus. This is a reason to celebrate and sing out the truth: “No one else would dare to love this heart/If they saw what's inside/You know my thoughts, all my secrets/But still You offer me life.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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