As we settle into a season of waiting and hoping, we as staff thought we'd keep it light and share with you some of our current favorite Christian songs and what they mean to us (along with a Spotify playlist linked at the bottom). We hope these songs bring encouragement, peace, and hope to you.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me
by CityAlight
This song is quite theologically rich yet so simple in its declaration that all I am is in Christ, by Christ, and through Christ. I love this verse: "With every breath I long to follow Jesus / For He has said that He will bring me home / And day by day I know He will renew me / Until I stand with joy before the throne." Quarantine life for me has been a really precious time of going back to the basics of faith. By the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, I don't think I've ever been more hungry for a deepened relationship with God -- not just for what He gives me, but for God Himself. This song reminds me that every day I am both in tremendous need of grace and that through Christ, that salvation is secured. This is a song of victory, and, especially now, we all need to remember that unshakable hope and joy we have in the gospel. ~ Chaelin Jung '23
Help My Unbelief
by Audrey Assad
How often do we struggle with keeping a faith that feels so frustratingly vague or invisible? This song has been a mantra for me in these moments, reminding me of the God who met me and meets me every day, of Who I believe, and ultimately asking for the help only He can provide in remembering these things. ~ Karis Ryu '21
Control (Acoustic)
by Tenth Avenue North
I recently found myself feeling anxious about both the present and the future--a lot of my post-grad plans have been thrown up in the air, and I feel anxious about the current atmosphere. This song reminds me that the earth is the Lord's, and He is ultimately in control of all things and all things belong to him (Psalm 24:1). ~ Cindy Won '20
Run to the Father
by Cody Carnes
This song is a call to remind ourselves that God is always here with us, and that we are the ones who need to close the distance between Him and our hearts. Admitting to ourselves that "I need God" is the first step towards salvation, and yet sometimes, this is so, so difficult to do. The lyrics "My heart needs a surgeon / My soul needs a friend / So I’ll run to the Father / Again and again" encourage me to embrace my brokenness and reminds me to turn not elsewhere in shame, but to our God, because our loving Father is here to greet us every single time. ~ Haley Seo '23
Build My Life
by Pat Barrett
"I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken"
In a time like this, where so many things have been stripped from our lives, this song compels me to ask, what am I building my life on? The only foundation that is sure, steadfast, true, and everlasting is Jesus. He is the anchor of our souls, the hope that will not fail. Once you've been adopted into God's family through Christ, nothing can separate you from his love. All other ground is sinking sand. ~ Anna Delamerced MD'21
More Like Jesus
by Passion
“If more of you means less of me, take everything”. The song is about giving up our worldly possessions and aspirations and letting Jesus fill us up.
“Oh Lord, change me like only you can.”
It’s about submitting to God, accepting that we need to change, and desperately wanting to do both.
When I sing this song, I don’t feel judgment or shame; it’s much more about redemption and being born again. As we make mistakes and stray from God, it’s a passionate reminder of who we are meant to be following as we live our lives and who can restore us. ~ Grace Kim '23
Captivate Us
by Watermark
The title and lyrics speak for themselves- I heard this song in a place of spiritual dryness and brokenness, and it is just a beautiful reminder to cast my eyes upon the Lord, that He ascends all things, all toils, all troubles. It gave me faith in a dark place, made me realize that God had been waiting all along.
~ Kaitlan Bui '22
Farther Along
by Josh Garrels
All throughout my life, and especially in the last few months, I found myself saying, "I don't understand why" many many times. The first time I heard this song, my breath caught in my lungs because I've never heard this raw honesty about the reality of life sung with such hope and simple faith in the Gospel. Vulnerable and yet uplifting, this song encourages me to continue walking in light (Isaiah 9:2) because somewhere farther along in time and space, we will understand why. ~ Lucy Tian '22
Fill the Room
by Maverick City Music ft. Chandler Moore
This song is the first song off of Maverick City Music’s Volume 3 Part 1 album and it’s not a traditional worship or Christian song but it is a call for the Holy Spirit to fill the room of the worship team and for the Maverick City Music team to glorify Jesus through their music and lives. It gives me chills to hear their desire of wanting more of the Holy Spirit and for them to be led righteously and gloriously. As they sing “Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, fill the room, fill the room”, I also desire for the Holy Spirit to fill the space I am listening to the song in. This song reminds me that I am nothing apart from God’s grace. My creativity, my ability to do well in school, my prayer, my love for people, all of my guidance, and everything in between is all because of God’s leadership and hand over my life. It’s all because He so willingly provides His grace to His people. ~ Julius Gingles '21
P E A C E (Live)
by Hillsong Young & Free
Anxiety and fear have often waged war on my heart and soul.
This song reminds me that Jesus is my peace. He is my "peace when my thoughts wage war" and my "peace when my fear takes hold." When everything is up in the air and nothing is in my control and I feel the enemy starting to feed me lies, I remind myself that my hope is not in this world or in my desires, but in a God who loves me, saves me, protects me, and guides me. ~ Mikaela Carrillo '21
