There's A Light is a solo album from Todd Smith, singer, songwriter and founding member of Selah, one of Christian music's most beloved groups. Selah's hits include such signature songs as "You Raise Me Up," "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" and "You Amaze Us." 

Something I've long appreciated about Selah's and Todd's music ministry is the focus on the Word of God in their lyrics, such as in their classic recordings of hymns of the faith including "You Are My Hiding Place" and "Before the Throne of God Above." We know from Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV), "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void." I had the chance to speak with Todd about "Calling All Fathers" from his solo album There's A Light.

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

Ed Cash and I began writing this song last summer amid several moral crises our society was facing. There seems to be a lot of confusion and not knowing where we stand on issues as a church sometimes. One of the greatest issues we have in our country is the absence of fathers, whether in a single parent home or in families in general where fathers are being silent and not engaging with their kids. The state of our country made me wonder, "Where are the men-- the leaders?" If we men will stand up, committed to believing in the Word of God, confessing our sin, humbling ourselves and walking with authority in Jesus, what a witness that will be in our community--and world--and what an impact it will have on our families. 

For me on a personal level, this song is about looking in the mirror and questioning myself and whether I'm measuring up and engaging my family. I have four girls: twins that are 13, an 11-year-old and 6-year-old daughter. Day in and day out, I'm asking myself how I can better lead my family. 

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (MSG): "I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God's Message to you that I became your father. I'm not, you know, asking you to do anything I'm not already doing myself."

2 Corinthians 6:18 (Voice): "'And I will be for you as a Father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters,' Says the Lord Almighty!"

Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV): "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

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."

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV): The Parable of the Prodigal Son

What is the takeaway message?

I hope "Calling All Fathers" will serve as a challenge to all of us dads to be the men we are called to be. I don't always know what to do or feel like I measure up as a father, but God gave me this responsibility, and He will equip me. We need to be fathers willing to put ourselves between our families and the dangers of this world. 

As men, we can be driven by fear to succeed, distracted from being engaged with our kids and truly leading and teaching them right from wrong. I wanted to write this song from a perspective where I am acknowledging that I haven't arrived, but that I'm also challenging myself with this song. We are the leaders, the teachers and the keepers of the home. God has entrusted us with that responsibility, but we aren't always doing that. Many times my wife has asked me to stand up and lead our family. 

One of the problems in the church we are singing about in this song is that we have a lot of teachers, and we raise up our pastors to a level on a pedestal that's not meant for them. They may have a lot of followers and are great communicators, but they are not the leaders of our families. The same goes for singers. We need to have a day to day relationship with our families. Maybe there's a kid in your neighborhood that is in need of mentoring and a father figure. Take time to engage with others. Respect and love our families. I can be intense sometimes, and even just remembering to smile is important. Tell our families when we are wrong that we are sorry and how much we love them.

Lyrics:
Where are the leaders? 
Where are the teachers? 
Where are the keepers of every home? 

There's an emergency 
Greater than any other 
Where are the ones who Fight for their own? 

Calling all fathers 
Run to your children 
We've fallen asleep and 
Darkness has come 
We will find strength in The name of Jesus 
Calling all fathers Wake up 

Evil is waiting 
Outside our windows 
Slowly but surely 
It's creeping in 
Take up your sword now 
And just like a soldier 
Take back what's been stolen 
And fight like a man 

Our sons need to know we see the man deep inside of them 
Our daughters need to know that they're adored 
Our wives want to be known and that we'll be men of our word 
And if we fall down, we'll get back up 
Yes, when we fall down, we get back up 

We are the teachers 
We are the keepers Of our homes 

There's an emergency 
Greater than any other 
Let us be the ones who 
Fight for their own

When Christian fathers hear this song, they know it is Truth and can agree with and say amen to every word. That's why the song has connected with so many people. Being a Christian father of three young daughters, this song reflects my own yearning for Jesus to make me a better husband and father. I imagine this song can be an offering of praise to God, drawing us closer to being a "man after God's own heart" in the way King David sang his profound words of comfort in Psalm 23 to the Lord. David was a shepherd, and he knew that the Lord was his only guide and hope and the Good Shepherd of his soul. This song is also about submitting to God all of your worries, anxieties and stress and letting God be your guide. God wants to walk beside you, and He wants us to be bold and unafraid.

I desperately pray for all of my daughters to not stray away from the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many have felt or still feel misunderstood by parents when they give boundaries or rules that are meant to protect and help children who they love to understand the Words of Jesus: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, ESV). The Good News of the Gospel is that we're never too far away from the reach of our loving Father God. The Lord tells us all throughout Scripture to lift up our eyes to Him and this song celebrates that Truth. What a wonderful, loving and gracious God that we serve. I am so thankful to Jesus for saving me and showing us how to live.

Just like the songs "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real and "Courageous" by Casting Crowns, this song is a "must own" for all husbands, fathers and young men looking for an honest portrayal of the prayer of a Christian man asking God to lead their lives. From the first listen, this song fired me up to be more diligent as a husband, father and follower of Jesus. As men, we often struggle with fear of failure and complacency. As Christians, we are called to be bold for Christ and to serve Him daily. Along with Todd, the challenge for me in the song, and hopefully for other men as well, is that every time I hear it, every time I sing it, I ask myself, "What kind of man am I?" Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but what kind of man am I today? Have I invested in my family emotionally and spiritually the way that God has called me to reach out to them and to lead them? Remember and celebrate that "We will find strength in the name of Jesus, calling all fathers, wake up." Amen to that!

Watch the lyric video below.