Jonathan Lee is a passionate worship leader with a heart to lead people into the presence of a holy God. He is the co-writer to the songs “Jesus I Surrender”, “Nothing Less Than All of Me”, “Revolution” and “You Are My Shepherd” with Tricia Brock. “Jesus I Surrender” and “Nothing Less” are featured on Jeff Deyo's latest album Surrender and “Revolution” is on the Promise Keepers album called Uprising.

Jonathan Lee's vision and goal, first and foremost, is to lift up the name of Jesus so that all people might be drawn to God, as stated in John 12:32. His desire is to worship the King of Kings with all his heart and life, leading people to the true heart of God. Consumed with a passionate love for God, there is no doubt when listening to Jonathan's music and experiencing his worship leading, that this worshiper is truly set apart.

Jonathan’s debut studio release, Let Them Hear, includes 11 thought-provoking worship songs. Giving glory to God and calling the lost home, Jonathan is a passionate worshiper and songwriter. I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan about his worship song “Be My Everything.”

Please tell me the message behind the song “Be My Everything.” Do you have any personal application regarding your walk as a Christian in the lyrics of the song?

For the past several years I’ve been mentored by Jeff Deyo. Jeff has invested time and energy in pouring into my life, believing deeply in the calling and vision God has placed in me. I’ve not only been guided by Jeff in the business aspect of the music industry, but more importantly in having a strong, vibrant walk with God. The song was on my heart and it is my prayer for God to “be my everything.” I co-wrote the song with Jeff. We were talking about what it means for Jesus to be our everything.

We ask questions in the song to express some of the doubt that people feel like, “Is there a way that I can follow?” and, “Is there a way that I can know You more?” In the Bible, David had those types of questions in the Psalms. The song has caused me to come to grips with who I am as a believer. My dad is a pastor, and growing up I tried unsuccessfully to be perfect. I grew up being watched and I grew up in a small town. I realized at a young age that I can’t be perfect without Jesus. I started leading worship when I was 16 years old. I feel blessed that God grabbed a hold of me at a young age.

I made mistakes that made me distraught. God said, “Give me your life and your will,” and I need to live that out in my life and my music ministry. Through all my hardships and turmoil, the times I got on my knees and asked for Him to “be my everything” are what I want the listener to know in this song.

Did you base the song on any Bible verses? Any life verse?

Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?

This song is about having a childlike faith and trusting in God to “be my everything.” Often when we grow up, we get hard hearted. Sometimes we enter adulthood and we don’t think we need God. In reality, we can’t fight the enemy without Jesus and the Cross. I want to draw people closer to the Lord. I want the song to be a mirror for who we really are. Life is all about fixing our eyes on Jesus.

In the Bible, when Peter walked on the water his eyes were fixed on Jesus. Then, when he looked down at the water, he started to sink. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and having Him be our everything is the key.

My hope is for people to see themselves the way that God sees us. If I try to love on my own, I’ll fail. We all need to ask God to be everything in our lives. A lot of times, people come to church and hear worship songs and a sermon and don’t necessarily spend time with God and in His Word every day. I think my job as a worship leader is to lead people into God’s presence--and they don’t need me to lead them. My hope is for people to spend time with God on their own.

Here are the lyrics:

Is there a way that I can follow
And fall in Your embrace
Is there a way that I can know You more
And look upon Your face
Draw me close to You, Father
Draw me close to You

This is my heart
This is my prayer

Jesus, be my everything
Be my hopes, my dreams
All that I need
Jesus, be my everything
Breathe Your life in me
Cuz all I want is You
Cuz all I want is You

Is there a way that I can touch You
And lose myself in You
Is there a way that I can feel Your heartbeat
Beating next to mine
Draw me close to You, Father
Draw me close to You

This is my heart
This is my prayer

Jesus, be my everything
Be my hopes, my dreams
All that I need
Jesus, be my everything
Breathe Your life in me
Cuz all I want is You
Cuz all I want is You

Jesus, be my everything
Be my hopes, my dreams
All that I need
Jesus, be my everything
Breathe Your life in me
Cuz all I want is You
Cuz all I want is You

Here’s Matthew Henry’s commentary on Hebrews 12:2: “The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man's darling sin, be it what it will, remains un-subdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement.

“When weary and faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from eternal misery. Christians should not faint under their trials. Though their enemies and persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to answer by all. They must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and are his rebukes for sin.”

I love the message behind this song, and Jonathan’s song is the prayer of my heart as well. I love the lyrics, “Draw me close to You, This is my heart, This is my prayer, Jesus, be my everything, Be my hopes, my dreams, All that I need, Jesus, be my everything, Breathe Your life in me.”

This a great song which I would love to sing with fellow believers and profess the Truth that without Jesus, we are nothing. As the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

You can pray the words of this song directly to Jesus and ask Him to be your everything. Amen.