I’ve been a huge fan of Bebo Norman for the past decade as he has written and sung some of my favorite songs including “The Hammer Holds,” “A Page Is Turned,” “Tip Of My Heart,” “Great Light Of The World,” “Nothing Without You” and “I Will Lift My Eyes.” He took it up a notch with his self-titled album which included the standout songs “Britney,” “Pull Me Out” and the Dove Award winning “The Only Hope.” He’s a truth telling folk music style singer-songwriter like Rich Mullins, Derek Webb and Todd Agnew.

On the heels of his 2010 Dove Award, Bebo Norman has just finished his seventh studio project with award-winning producer Jason Ingram. Bebo Norman released his album, Ocean, on September 28th on BEC Recordings, marking his second studio release with the label. For Ocean, Bebo once again teamed up with Ingram in the studio for production as well as co-writing. On the last four records, Bebo and Ingram have established a mutual respect working together creatively to create a sonic landscape listeners love.

After repeated listens, I’m convinced that Ocean is the best overall album by Bebo Norman in my opinion and is my top overall album of 2010.

The debut radio single, “Here Goes,” was co-written with Brandon Heath and is based on conversations they’ve had over the years. It is a song about stepping into the difficult with the determined trust that there is indeed a God who is completely in control and completely good.

I got the great opportunity to speak with Bebo about “Here Goes.” Here are the answers to the questions that I asked him.

Please describe the background in writing the song "Here Goes” and what's the main message of the song to you personally?

“Here Goes” is a song that I’ve been writing with Brandon Heath for several years. It’s one of the most pop sounding songs on the album. It came unexpectedly and from a weird place. The song came from conversations I’ve been having with Brandon over many years. We’ve known each other a long time and we’ve both struggled with living by fear instead of by faith. Without either of us saying we should write a song about fear versus faith, we co-wrote this song together. The reality and beauty of this song is that as believers we are called to not live by fear but indeed to live by faith. It truly came from Brandon having fear and insecurity about whether to just write songs and stay behind the scenes or to perform his songs for people. I’ve struggled with that same insecurity and being afraid of how people would perceive me from my songs. Both Brandon and I have made conscious decisions to not have apprehension and fear about ourselves, but to trust in our God who is completely good and consistent.

What Bible verses did you use to write the song? Any life verse?

I’m so glad you asked me about my life verse. Until now, I didn’t realize that it’s actually the message of my life verse that’s woven throughout this song.

My life verse is Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Here are the lyrics:

Never got anywhere
By running away
Never learned anything
Without anything
without a mistake
Never loved anyone
By playing it safe
It's a long way, but
I'm right here now, so...

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step,
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes

I don't wanna turn around
and wonder what happened
Never lost and never found
Are one and the same
I wanna run across the battle lines
And take my chances
Not the long way 'round
When I'm here right now

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step,
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes

Bridge:
What good is chance not taken,
What good is life not living,
What good is love not given?

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes
And God only knows
But here goes

Here’s Matthew Henry’s commentary on Hebrews 4:14-16: We should encourage ourselves by the excellence of our High Priest, to come boldly to the throne of grace. Mercy and grace are the things we want; mercy to pardon all our sins, and grace to purify our souls. Besides our daily dependence upon God for present supplies, there are seasons for which we should provide in our prayers; times of temptation, either by adversity or prosperity, and especially our dying time. We are to come with reverence and godly fear, yet not as if dragged to the seat of justice, but as kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns. We have boldness to enter into the holiest only by the blood of Jesus; he is our Advocate, and has purchased all our souls want or can desire.

We can all have confidence when we approach anything holding us back due to our fear. God tells us to not live in fear or shame or regret because we will find mercy and grace in the presence of God. Jesus is our High Priest and He will “help us in our time of need.” What an amazing Truth that we can approach God with confidence and He’ll overcome our fears.

You can listen to the song here.