For several years now, Steffany Gretzinger, the worship leader at Bethel Music, has inspired me in worship. While standing in the queue for a nearby music festival, my cousin mentioned her name in hushed tones, with great admiration. Since I can remember, my cousin has been devoted to the Lord. So, when I heard that Steffany had a position of influence over young worshippers, I knew she must be doing something right. Little did I know how true that was?
Steffany skillfully manages her influence in the worship genre by taking breaks from social media, resulting in a deeper connection with Jesus in her heart. All that to be said, she never abuses her power. Instead, she lifts the impact from her role on the Bethel Music team back to her creator. With notable singles like "Confident" and "King of My Heart," the lyrics that frame her devotion to the Lord are timely and beautiful. It delights my heart to introduce you to her newest project, the eight-track record The Narrow Way. A simultaneously delicately precious and yet confidently powerful quest to further honor God.
"The Narrow Way"
"There is nothing in this life
Worth the cost of losing You
Is it even sacrifice
If I trade the world for You."
I'm not able to describe further what has already been stated. Let's take a brief second to reread those four lines.
Did you notice how the act of sacrifice, which we often fear, becomes insignificant in light of the ultimate reward? Giving up what we love becomes insignificant in the face of gaining whom we love—the Lover almighty. I won't dive into the different types of love here, although I find them fascinating. Nonetheless, I will say that the emotions we direct at worldly things don't compare to God's all-consuming passion for us. Only when we go after Him with our whole heart do we discover, and understand, the intensely supernatural level His dedication resides upon.
"The Narrow Way" isn't singlehandedly healing a mangled relationship with the Father. But I will encourage you with this; no matter how damaged your view on Christianity is or how much the world has seeped into your values, your connection with God can never be severed. His adoration goes far beyond our resistance and promises to guide us along His narrow path.
"Holy"
Raw praise. That's what this song is. Elements in their raw form are often dismissed as yet to be ready, needing more purification before we accept them as a whole. However, what if worship is preciously perfect before it gets processed?
Rawness doesn't have to be unsatisfactory, nor do we have to dismiss it as immature. It is the most genuine expression of nature we've ever experienced. It happens at the moment before overthinking and hesitation set in, and it's a precious moment that I hate leaving behind when I turn away from the altar and face the world once more.
But you know what? The altar doesn't always have to be a physical place. Laying our burdens down and accepting His peace can just as well be a mindset, and that is something we don't have to leave behind after church. The Holy Spirit is a gift of His presence that walks with us. Let's praise Him and thank Him for this blessing without a filter today. Let us be raw in our worship of the genuinely holy one.
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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