Hillsong Young & Free’s worship albums have been highly anticipated since their first release We are Young & Free, which includes hit songs “Alive,” “Sinking Deep,” and “Wake.” The group, led by Laura Toggs, a Youth Pastor and the band's pioneer, followed that up with “Real Love,” “Where You Are,” “This is Living,” “Let Go,” “Just Jesus,” and “Highs and Lows.”
All of My Best Friends is a collection of personal songs and the newest release, which was preceded by the singles, “Never Have I Ever,” “Best Friends,” and “World Outside Your Window.” I had the chance to speak with worship leader Melodie Wagner about the stirring song, “As I Am.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“As I Am” has been on quite a journey. It’s very personal to me. The song took a while to finish (We started writing it in February 2017). I never knew when the lyrics would find their place. So, we, as a band, decided to be faithful and patient with finishing this song.
Being a woman of color and growing up in church and youth ministry, I always had a distinct knowledge that even though I may not be always be loved in the world, I knew when I came to the house of God and was in His presence that I was accepted, seen, and fully loved by Him. That applies to all of us about not feeling accepted by everyone all the time. That’s one of the things that really drew me to the heart of God as a young person. I was figuring out who I was, what I was about, and what I believed about God.
One of the things that captured me about who Jesus is is knowing that He didn’t die for perfect people. He didn’t die for only certain groups of people. He died for me, someone who is imperfect and figuring out life. “As I Am” expresses something I’ve sung in the presence of the Lord—even before it was a song.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 139:14(NIV): "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:17-18(NKJV): "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You."
Ephesians 2:10(NLT): "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."
1 John 3:1(NLT): "See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know Him."
Song of Solomon 4:7 (NIV): “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.”
1 Peter 2:9 (MSG): “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you--from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
John 1:12(NIV): "Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
2 Corinthians 5:17(NKJV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
What is the takeaway message?
In January, we gathered to film the song's music video. Little did we know that this would be one of the last times we would gather in person. There’s something very special about us worshiping together.
The songs on our new All of My Best Friends album have bold messages, not to mention they're prophetic. We didn’t know what kind of year this would turn out to be, but God knew. Although we're in uncertain times, it’s confirmation that God is with us. He has a plan for us if we just trust and obey Him. He works all things together for those who love Him.
We've been waiting a couple of years for the right time to release "As I Am." We believe this is a timely song for the beautiful reality of God's inclusive nature and diverse creation. May this song minister to those who are in pain and exhort us all to fight for equality, just as Jesus has made a way for every single one of us.
The song's message is all-inclusive. The gospel is all-inclusive. God welcomes us with open arms. That paints a picture for me of Jesus welcoming little children. That’s exactly how He is with us. I pray that people who hear this song recognize that they are children of God. I pray that people would run into His arms and find His kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and love. From that place, we can see people the way that God sees people. That shift of perspective allows for justice when we see as God sees. What would the world look like if we all lived like we were forgiven, free, and loved? Run to the Father.
Lyrics
I’m living in a grace where Everything is more Than I imagined Where what is undeserved Is freely given
All my regrets And my failures All of my wrongs have Been left at the cross Now all that remains Is the Father’s love
Oh Lord You take me as I am Over and over You call me Yours again
You see it all Still You want me How You love me How You love me Your kindness and mercy Remind me How You love me How You love me As I am
So let us be together Seated at Your table In communion Everyone is equal In Your presence
Where I am from Or where I’ve been The way that I’ve lived Or the color of skin Nothing will change How the Father loves me
Oh Lord You take me as I am Over and over You call me Yours again
You see it all Still You want me How You love me How You love me Your kindness and mercy Remind me How You love me How You love me As I am
Oh, Lord You take Oh, Lord You take me Take me as I am Oh, Lord You take Oh, Lord You take me Take me as I am
Oh, Lord You take, My God Oh, Lord You take me Take me as I am Oh, Lord You take Oh, Lord You take me Take me as I am
Oh Lord You take me as I am Over and over You call me Yours again
You see it all Still You want me How You love me How You love me
Your kindness and mercy Remind me How You love me How You love me As I am, Jesus
Oh Jesus Just as I am Nothing more Nothing else
All my regrets And my failures All of my wrongs have Been left at the cross Now all that remains Is the Father’s love
Oh Lord You take me as I am Over and over You call me Yours again
You see it all Still You want me How You love me How You love me Your kindness and mercy Remind me How You love me How You love me As I am, oh As I am
Cause oh, Lord You take Oh, Lord You take me Take me as I am Oh, Lord You take Oh, Lord You take me Take me as I am
Closing Thoughts
Only Jesus can give us our identity. What a powerful expression of what it means to accept that God never leaves or forsakes us. He's all we need. I sing this song to God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. God 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 our hope in Him that we can be saved. He wants to give us life and never let us go. That's something worth singing about.
Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the battle of our minds, from sin and death. And, He wants us to have abundant life in Him. What a wonderful, encouraging truth. God knows us intimately. And, because of what Jesus did on the cross, He sees us as holy, righteous, redeemed, chosen, fully known, and forgiven—no matter what you've done.
If you've put all your hope and trust in Jesus, there's nothing that can separate you from His love. If you think about the type of faith we're called to have as believers, it is described as the faith of a mustard seed. "As I Am" is an expression of what it means to accept that God never leaves or forsakes us as His followers. He's all we need.
We were made in God's image. We don’t need to seek society's approval but know that God created and loves us. That critical message is heard loud and clear in this song. Struggling with identity issues is a universal struggle. The message of this song is very edifying—especially in today's society that sends out signals that image is everything. This is a great new worship song for Sunday morning. And, I love to sing to Him: “Your kindness and mercy remind me/How You love me/How You love me/As I am, Jesus.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and 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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