Ryan Stevenson's stirring anthem "Eye of the Storm" (feat. GabeReal), the breakthrough, multi-format single from the GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter, made history for Gotee Records as it topped six charts, including iTunes' Christian and Gospel Songs.
His last album, Wildest Dreams, features the standout hit song, "Amadeo (Still My God)." Once again, the song has resonated with listeners everywhere with its moving message about clinging to God in the middle of the storms of life. I had the chance to speak with Ryan about his upbeat new song, "Just As You Are."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
One of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning, who wrote The Ragamuffin Gospel and Abba's Child, once gave a powerful message on the Gospel, "God loves you, just as you are, not as you should be; because none of us are as we should be." That was a profound statement for me and one that has since shaped my perspective about God as well as the way I perceive others. I believe this is paramount in understanding the Truth about the finished work of Jesus. That's the inspiration behind the song.
I want to encourage you today that God is the author of miracles. What seems impossible is where He operates. He is able to redeem our greatest mistakes and most painful situations. God doesn't use us in spite of the messed-up parts of our lives--He uses those parts, too, and is intricately involved in orchestrating our circumstances for the best outcomes. Because of His profound ability to redeem anything and everything we go through, we become living, breathing testimonies of His kindness, mercy, and love for everyone to see.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
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."
Zephaniah 3:17 (VOICE): "The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband."
Psalm 30:11-12 (VOICE): "You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing; You stripped off my dark clothing and covered me with joyful light. You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs! It's impossible to keep quiet! Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever."
Psalm 37:4-5 (NIV): "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this."
Psalm 33:20-22 (MSG): "We're depending on God; He's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own His holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got--that's what we're depending on."
What is the takeaway message?
99% of the time, God doesn't give you what you want, and that's because He loves you. He will wreck your plans before they wreck you. He refuses to join us in our anxiety, though He'll still mercifully love us there and continue to call us beyond it. If you're struggling to trust Him, realize he's allowing you to go through these storms to make you more like him, and ultimately know that he is a good father--that he is Abba. His sacrifice made a way for us--not our own efforts and striving. Knowing that He began a good work, we can take a deep breath and rest because He is faithful to His word to perform it.
As Chris and I were reminiscing about summertime grooves from our college days together, it felt like a no-brainer to let the joy out--to create music that not only has an amazing feel but also a deep, meaningful message. I believe the Lord has given me confidence and an assurance to share the music and sounds that move me most. This is the music I've wanted to put out for 12 years, and I finally feel the release to do it.
Lyrics
I've been wasting way too much of my time
Living up in my mind, trying to do it all right
Spinning my wheels, thinking that there's something I could do, to be more loved by You
I was making it my exception to try and earn Your affection
But that all faded away when I heard You say
Ooooo child, don't ya know I love ya
Just as, just as you are
Oooo child, don't ya know I love ya
Just as, just as, just as you are
You turned the light on and flipped the script
I'm suddenly seeing what I used to miss
Ya got me livin' in the present tense, with a love so deep, You're the greatest gift
Feeling light as a feather, free and without the pressure, of ever losing Your grace since
Since I heard you say
You ain't gotta try so hard, try so hard
You've always been safe in My arms
You ain't gotta try so hard, try so hard
You're safe in my arms, in My arms
Closing Thoughts
The challenge for me in this song is the concept of knowing that the challenges I'll face in this fallen world are God's way of making my faith grow stronger in Him alone. Many times, I think I can control outcomes, and I always want things to go my way. Do you want to be in control? Or do you want God to reveal His plans for you by waiting on Him? Are you waiting for yourself to work things out, or are you waiting for God to reveal Himself?
When we feel like we're on shaky ground and dealing with the uncertainty of our situations, the economy, and our world, this song allows us to dwell on the unshakable nature of God. When all else fades away, He will remain. We all need to remember that we're not able to save ourselves. Only Jesus can give us our identity. God tells us in the Bible that with faith, we can do anything in Christ. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song filled with biblical truth.
In The Message of Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us: "Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." What an amazing comfort to know that when we struggle with pain, pride, and unloving natures, we can lay it at the feet of Jesus. This is a great song to sing as a personal prayer of thanks and praise.
Too often we get wrapped up in our circumstances and get down on ourselves with negative thoughts, allowing the devil to define our self-worth. Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the battle of our minds, from sin and death. He wants us to have abundant life in Him. What a wonderful, encouraging truth.
We all have lies that we believe about ourselves. Also, we have an enemy who wants to see us fall. He does have a voice and he speaks to us, but the voice of God's agape love speaks louder.
This song encourages us to see ourselves the way God sees us. A Bible verse that references the melody that God sings over us is Zephaniah 3:17. It moves me to soak in the truth that our God sings over us.
Whatever struggle or depression you are facing, you can know that God is with you, always. The comfort and rest offered by God singing over us are beautifully captured in "Just As You Are." He pours out His mercy despite what we've done, and there's nothing we can do except trust in His Son Jesus. We can't earn Heaven; it's only through complete surrender to Jesus and putting all our hope in Him that we can be saved. As a follower of Jesus, you'll want to join in and sing out: "You ain't gotta try so hard, try so hard/You've always been safe in My arms." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid 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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