Known around the globe for songs like “I Am Free,” “Overcome,” “Jesus Reigns,” “Make A Way,” and “Strong God,” New Life Worship—led by worship pastor Jon Egan—has never lost sight of its target or the limitless potential of students to impact their world for Christ. The modern worship band returns with the excellent live album God Is, released earlier this year.
New Life Worship provides powerful reminders for today's church with its songs. The team's primary goal is to help people encounter Jesus and develop a worship life. Every song, resource, and aspect of New Life’s ministry is designed with that end in mind. New Life is a solid local church with deep roots in worship, youth ministry, and missions. I spoke with worship leader Lauren Smith about “The Worthy One.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
This song is extraordinary; I get emotional just talking about it. My husband, Kyle, and I spent seven years at Harvest Bible Church and Vertical Worship, but in 2022, we moved to Colorado Springs to join New Life Worship. This transition, being part of a new church in a new area, has been a healing experience for us.
In January 2023, we had our first songwriting retreat with New Life Worship. On the first morning, Kyle and I teamed up with Terrell Wilson. That day, we began writing a song about who Jesus is and what He means to us, even after all the years we've walked with Him. Despite everything we've experienced, we owe it all to Jesus.
At first, the song had a different chorus titled “Jesus My All.” Over the next few months, we each worked on revising the lyrics, but it never quite felt right. We even tried leading the song, but the chorus didn’t capture what our hearts wanted to express. One day, while sitting at my piano, the words finally came: “You’re still the treasure I adore/You’re still the wonder in my soul.” And then, “Jesus, beautiful Lamb, You’re the worthy One,” just poured out of me. I knew it was exactly what my soul had been trying to say.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV): "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV): “See, I am doing a new thing. Now, it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
John 14:6 (NIV): “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Philippians 1:21 (NIV): "For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Acts 4:12 (NKJV): “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 2:17 (NIV): “For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.”
1 Corinthians 8:6 (NKJV): “Yet for us, there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”
What is the takeaway message?
I love sharing the journey of this song because, as a songwriter, the process isn’t always easy—sometimes, you must fight for those final lyrics. I’ve been writing versions of this song my whole life. I’ve known Jesus as my savior for as long as I can remember, and I know His grace and mercy have shaped my life. Over the years, I’ve written intimate love songs to the Lord. Now, at 33, I’ve walked through real suffering, including losing my mom this year. Even with all the ups and downs of life, it’s still Jesus for me.
I adore Him with all my heart and want my life to be used for His glory. I’ve found nothing in this life that compares to Jesus. He is our treasure. I count everything as a loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. There’s nothing more significant than knowing Him and being known by Him. No one else is worthy of my life or the songs I sing. Worship is with everything I have—my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want to spend my life blessing the name of the Lord, the worthy one. To His name be all the glory.
Lyrics
You’re still the treasure I adore You’re still the wonder in my soul You’re the most precious one I know Jesus my all
All that I gain, I count as loss All that I lost was worth the cost All that You are is more than enough Jesus my all
Jesus, beautiful Lamb You’re the worthy one The worthy one All of my worship, all that I am For the worthy one The worthy one
You are my portion and my cup The dearest of all the things I love The greatest reward that I could want Jesus my all
Jesus, beautiful Lamb You’re the worthy one The worthy one All of my worship, all that I am For the worthy one The worthy one
Jesus, the Lord of my heart You’re the worthy one The worthy one Here at the altar, I lay me down For the worthy one The worthy one
You’re the most precious one I know All that You are is more than enough And nobody else deserves my love But Jesus my all
I could spend all my years and find Jesus, You’re all my soul desires And nobody else deserves my life But Jesus my all
Jesus my all Jesus my all Jesus my all
Closing Thoughts
This song is a beautiful praise to the Worthy One, Jesus—the one with the power to save. "Jesus, it’s always been You and always will be You." Living in the present without knowing what the future holds can be overwhelming.
Many of us search for meaning and purpose in today's fast-paced world. But Philippians 3:8 reminds us that knowing Christ surpasses all else: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”
I’ve taken time to reflect on and sing this song to God, which always comforts me. As part of my daily devotion, I sing at least one praise song to strengthen my relationship with Jesus. I encourage you to spend some time with Him, too.
Pray and sing along with this song of adoration.
When you adopt its words into your heart, you’ll remember the truth that Jesus has always been, is today, and will always be the one who makes a way, even when it seems impossible. That’s a truth we can rest on, and when we do, we’ll point others toward "The Worthy One," offering hope and confidence in fulfilling His promises.
No matter the circumstances, God remains the “worthy one” for His children. As we look around at the world's brokenness, let’s lift our eyes to Him and place our faith and hope in His hands. For those of us who are saved in Christ, we can sing together: “Jesus, beautiful Lamb/You’re the worthy one/The worthy one/All of my worship, all that I am/For the worthy one/The worthy one.”
God speaks to each of us in different ways, and for me, prayer and reflection—primarily through songs of praise like “The Worthy One”—bring me closest to Him. As Christians, we can all declare: “I could spend all my years and find/Jesus, You’re all my soul desires/And nobody else deserves my life/But Jesus, my all.” 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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