I Am Free

"I Am Free" has always been the "signature song" of Steady On ever since it was written. While "Made To Honor You" was the first song that ever got performed back before there was any CD, we only did coffee shops, and everything was all acoustic, once we got the recording done there was something anthematic and powerful about this song that always set the stage for Steady On concerts. Yes, musically it has a little "Caedmon's Call" flair to it- for this I can thank Randy Holsapple and Garrett Buell, original CC members who added Hammond organ and percussion to this track, but lyrically there is something else going on.

Really, in some ways lyrically this song is against type for me. This is because for those that know me they will tell you I live in my head a lot. I tend it be skeptical of experience and all about the rational and logical. I have spent countless hours on Internet forums and blogs contending for the faith using well reason arguments and philosophies as to why God must exist and that Jesus Christ is the real solution to any individual's problem with sin.

So this song- which focuses on the experience of faith based in what I've seen, not my logic or philosophies- is not how I usually talk about Christianity. And because of this, "I Am Free" has actually been criticized- I was told by an unbeliever that I'm asking people to believe in my experience, not the rational. But I'm not- this song is not a contention for the faith. I'm not writing to the unbeliever here (in fact, I rarely write songs to unbelievers). I'm writing to remind myself that whatever clever arguments there are, whatever reasons I give to show people the truth of God, my faith is not like that. I already know the end of the equation- while I may have to work it out for others to show them, I am not myself in a state of guessing or wondering. My faith is beyond what I think about our reason out- it is something I KNOW deep in my soul. And because that is true, I should never forget to proclaim it with all of my being.

See, for me it is easy to get bogged down in the heady side of things- to start living out the Christian life as if it were a bunch of cold, sterile arguments to try and convince others that I have the right answers. But I must never let that happen. Even as Paul argued and contended for the faith at Mars Hill, did he ever lose that view in his heart that Jesus was true freedom? He never did- it was always evident in all of his writings.

And this "bogging down" can happen in other areas too. As we confront abuse and evil within the church. As we stand up against principalities that seek to tear us down. As we fight politics that are ungodly and harmful. While all of those things may be callings from God, we must never get so focused on them that we forget what we really are- those set free by the Cross of Christ.

So I encourage you to join with me and make this idea the anthem of your heart- whatever draws you into a cold and sterile faith, remember your identity as a real, forgiven child of the risen Savior, and shout with joy the truth that we are indeed free.

The challenge is made, why do I believe?
How can I have faith in what cannot be seen?
What evidence do I have of these words that I say?

I've got books and ideas that lay it all out
But they say I cannot remove all their doubt
The burden's on me and my unbelievable claims

But with all I've seen
How could I not believe?
There is no other truth that could be any clearer to me

It's in my soul
It's all I am
It's my only hope and the rock on which I stand
It's in the air
It's what I breathe
It's only by His grace through saving faith I can be free
And I am free

I've walked through my share of valleys in shadow
But each step I've taken I've not been alone
There's no other way to explain His guiding hand

I've danced in my heart on the highest of mountains
Freed by the cross that takes away sin
Wherever I've been, His truth has allowed me to stand

And with all I've seen
Yes I do believe
There is no other truth that could bring any hope to me

It's in my soul
It's all I am
It's my only hope and the rock on which I stand
It's in the air
It's what I breathe
It's only by His grace through saving faith I can be free
And I am free

How could I express in words of my own
That I was loved before I ever was known?
Lord grant me a life that shows what it means
To have ultimate truth and really be free

It's in my soul
It's all I am
It's my only hope and the rock on which I stand
It's in the air
It's what I breathe
It's only by His grace through saving faith I can be free
And I am free
I am free
I am free

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