Who Can Compare – Story Behind the Song

There is a place in our hearts that longs for God- for something other and bigger than ourselves. The place that only God can fill. Some have called it a ‘God shaped hole’ and if we try to put anything other than God into that place it doesn’t fit. So often our desire for God gets misplaced onto things that we think will fill the longing, but in the end, really doesn’t fill our need or desire. So begins the endless pursuit to fill our soul with something other than the one that created our souls and who is the lover of our souls. For me, it’s bike stuff... I love mountain biking and I am always wanting the next thing that is going to give me a better ride- it rarely does, but it DOES give me the little rush of getting something new. We all have stuff that we go to for the rush. Sex. Acceptance. Money. Material things. Alcohol. Just fill in the blank. The realization of this truth (and years of struggling with it) sparked the idea for Who Can Compare. “There is a longing nothing can satisfy. Here in Your presence, LORD, You are my hearts delight.” There is only one thing I have found in life that is truly fulfilling and that is the presence of the Spirit of God. There is nothing else that lasts… the new bike part gets muddy and worn out, but God is like a spring that never runs dry that I can drink from again and again. There is nothing better than really knowing him.

Who Can Compare

Who can compare to You Redeemer

If it were not for You

Where would my life be

Everything I have, Everything I am

All that my hands can hold

I lay it before You, lay it before You Lord

There is a longing nothing can satisfy

Here in Your presence Lord

You are my heart’s delight

Jesus, Jesus, my Lord, my King forever

Jesus, Jesus, this life will bow

Before You (repeat)

Forever I love You

Oh my Jesus

10,000 Voices – Story Behind the Song

I must have been daydreaming. I came up with the concept and melody for this song while I was sitting on stage during church in the winter of 2010 the middle of a church news video. It had just been a great moment in worship and I think I was a little sad for it to be over. There were about 500 people in church that day and they had just given it their all in worship -a sound I love to hear and a sound God loves to hear! When I got off stage that morning I recorded a bit of the song into my phone so I could remember it and work on it more later.

I have been to some large events where many thousands of people were lifting up their voices in worship and it is one of the most beautiful sounds. When I was in Africa in 06 every time some kids would sing (and they sang a lot) I would begin to cry because it was so beautiful to hear.

All that we have to give in worship and in our lives is all that God deserves to receive in worship. That’s what this song is about. 

Light of the World - Story Behind the Song

Story Behind the Song – Light of the World

Back in February of 2010 I had the chance to take a mission trip to India to take part in a pastor’s conference and a women’s conference there and to visit some slum schools and children’s homes in Kolkata. Being there in the city was a huge shock… the traffic, the smells, the food. I was struck by the children begging in the streets. I don’t mean on the side of the street- I mean in the streets everywhere amongst all the traffic (which in Kolkata is arguably the worst in the world). I was heartbroken by the homeless mother raising her babies on the filthy sidewalk just outside of the Baptist Missionary Station where our team stayed. They slept in the same space as the stray dogs. The vast sea of humanity that live in poverty and suffer there is quite staggering.

One of the most haunting images that I saw was a beautiful young woman who seemed to be around 16 years of age who was begging for food in traffic. With the frequency of beggars in Kolkata one cannot possibly give to all who beg… (In fact, our hosts who were Kolkata residents strongly discouraged us from giving to beggars at all due to the fact that many beggars are just being exploited by someone else to get money… the beggars don’t even get to keep their own money.) I peered into her eyes as she tapped on the glass car window and motioned that she was hungry. We thought that she was motioning that she was thirsty and Melanie gave her a bottle of water through the window but what she seemed to want was food. She kept pointing to her mouth as if she were hungry. We sat there for a moment not really knowing what to do and then traffic began to flow again and suddenly the car lurched forward into the traffic. We were never to see her again. Where will she find food to eat? How will she survive? Who will care for her?

In this city, one can’t help but be left with a sense of guilt. We have so much while they have so little. Even the most poor in America have much more than these. What I found in Kolkata in many cases was quite literally hell on earth- humanity’s worst. I wondered what could possibly be done to ease the suffering of so many millions of people... Yet there were many people I met there that were different. People that were so filled with God’s love that they were making a difference in the world around them. I saw God using his people to make a difference in countless lives –one person at a time. God’s Kingdom was happening through them! Truth being made known. Hungry bellies filled. Orphans given a home. Hearts being healed and people being loved. 

Wherever Jesus is King all this and more will be happening. Yet, the efforts of these few men and women fall so short compared to the great need. These realities move me to pray, "Let Your will be done. Let Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven…" 

This song is my prayer for Kolkata and anywhere else like it. It is my prayer for those that suffer. It is a prayer that God would listen to the cries of humanity and break through the darkness and explode upon the world his light and love.

Light of the World

God Most High, listen to the world cry

Open Your ears to the sound

God Most High, listen to the world sigh

Shine in the darkest place with Your glory- radiate

Light of the world shine down upon us

Light of the world come down among us

Kingdom of heaven reign in our hearts

Light of the world shine down shine down

Eyes that are tired of crying

There’s so much pain all around

Feet that are tired from climbing

Reach to the farthest place with your hands- elevate

Let Your kingdom come let Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Let Your kingdom come let Your will be done

Shine down, shine down, shine down

Radiate - Full Song Lyrics

Light of the World

God Most High, listen to the world cry

Open Your ears to the sound

God Most High, listen to the world sigh

Shine in the darkest place with Your glory- radiate

Light of the world shine down upon us

Light of the world come down among us

Kingdom of heaven reign in our hearts

Light of the world shine down shine down

Eyes that are tired of crying

There’s so much pain all around

Feet that are tired from climbing

Reach to the farthest place with your hands- elevate

Let Your kingdom come let Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Let Your kingdom come let Your will be done

Shine down, shine down, shine down

Spotlight

Here we are, gathered again to worship

Your presence dwells in this very place

Open our eyes to just how much You love us

Where two or three are gathered You are there

           

Let all our words and songs magnify, magnify

Let the spotlight of our lives shine upon You

We need You, we trust You

Our desire more of You (repeat)

                               

Laying down all that is not of You

Our selfishness- let it fall, fall away               

Let nothing in our lives rise above You          

The world will see You shining through our love

Heart Soul Mind

Clouded and blinded I'm always reminded

Of doubts of days gone by

I sit and wander through ideas ponder

Of time and space and life

You've got my heart You’ve got my soul

So open up my mind to find You

You've got my heart You’ve got my soul

So give me all the strength to find You

I’m filled with good intentions but held up with questions

And it feels like that's just not enough

That’s just not enough

Sometimes my mind betrays my heart

But I'm waiting here still, waiting here for You
This revelation of things I can't find
There's a reason, there's a reason I'm seeking

We All Belong

Wandering around this broken globe

People who are starving for some hope

Filthy streets and orphans with no home

Born into the chaos all alone, all alone

Whenever you feel like it’s the end

Remember this my friend

I am- I am here

If you can just look into my eyes

And let me come inside you’ll find I am here

Sometimes love it slips right through your hands

All you’ve got are broken burned up plans

We all might be orphans all alone

But a loving Father calls us home

Sons and daughters

Whenever you feel like it’s the end

Remember this my friend I am, I am here

If you can just trust this saving grace

And fall in my embrace – do not fear

We all belong, we all belong, we all belong do not fear

Whenever you feel like it’s the end

Remember this my friend I am, I am here

If you can just look into my eyes

And find a place inside you’ll find I am here

I am here, I am here, I am here do not fear

Joseph Ssekamatte

Joseph Ssekamatte you were born October 1994

For about the last eight years

You have been hanging ‘round my refrigerator door

Where is it your heading? What is in your world?

Though I never met you, I think about you all the time

And I hope you have enough

And I hope you come to know the Father’s perfect love

And I know He hears your prayer

You are so loved

Joseph Ssekamatte I got your note

All the way from Africa today

You look so much older now

You’ve grown so much I can see

You hardly look the same

Where is it you’re heading? What is in your world?

What is it you’re dreaming of? What will you become?

And I hope you have enough 

And I hope you’ve come to know the Father’s perfect love

And I know he knows your name

You are so loved

Though we’re so far apart, you and me we are one

We’ve both got different mothers, but we’re both sons

And I hope you have enough 

And I hear you’ve come to know the Father’s perfect love

And I know he knows your name

You are so loved

10,000 Voices

Ten thousand voices singing out

Just to sing about how great You are

Is not enough to rightly say

How much You’re worth

Maker of the universe

You’re indefinable -But still

I give You praise

And I will sing of the goodness of the Lord

I will sing of the goodness of the Lord

I lift my voice I lift my soul to You                                                             

All your ways are good

All of the words I can compose eloquent in flow

Is not enough to rightly say

How much You’re worth

Maker of the universe

You’re indefinable -But still

I give You praise

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

God be praised, God be praised

There Is None Like You

If I go to the sky You are there

If I sink to the depths You are there You are there

You precede me You follow me

You’re within me without me

You’re everywhere, everywhere

There is none like You in all the earth or sky

Or space or universe

There is none like You in all the earth or sky

Or space or universe

I’m in awe of You Father, I’m in awe

I’m in awe of You Father, I’m in awe

You knew my name before I was born

You watched as I was formed in the dark, in the dark

Every moment was laid out before my life began

You’re wonderful so wonderful

Song of Love

We sing the song, sing the song

Sing the song of love

Come join the song, join the song

Join the song of love

The world can’t contain the height of Your fame

We are living for You

Words can’t explain all there is to say

How much we adore You

Hearts are set free eyes opening

Like a new beginning

Gates open wide let Heaven inside

Come on, come on, come on

Breathe it in breathe it out

This is the air I breathe (repeat)

This is the thing that makes my heart sing

I am longing for You

With Your love inside I’m satisfied

Come on, Come on, Come on

New Day

New day, rain is falling from the sky

It’s beautiful today

New things, You are doing in my life

You’re recreating

Help me keep my eyes on You today

May the words I say be words of hope and grace

May the things I do be motivated by love and truth

And faith in You

New day, hope is rising from the ash

It’s beautiful

New things, You are doing in the world

You’re recreating

Help us keep our eyes on You today

May the words we say be words of hope and grace

May the things we do be motivated by love and truth

And faith in You, faith in You

Who Can Compare

Who can compare to You Redeemer

If it were not for You

Where would my life be

Everything I have, Everything I am

All that my hands can hold

I lay it before You, lay it before You Lord

There is a longing nothing can satisfy

Here in Your presence Lord

You are my heart’s delight

Jesus, Jesus, my Lord, my King forever

Jesus, Jesus, this life will bow

Before You (repeat)

Forever I love You

Oh my Jesus

Telling the Story

All of us our lives are like a story

Words that hold the details of a soul

And carried in the words are images and meaning

We’re living as the story’s being told

Telling the story, telling the story, telling the story

All we are and all we’ve been revolves around

The story of a life given to die

One that tells us why we’re alive

Here we are in the chapters of our story

Some is known and some is yet untold

There are so many questions yet without answers

And still so much more life to unfold

Telling the story, telling the story, telling the story

Well you might find you struggle with the story

You might be just fighting to survive

But in suffering there’s hope and the mystery of meaning

Sometimes it leaves you broken and guessing why

All we are and all we were ever meant to be

Depends upon the story of the One who came to die

The One who tells us how to come alive

He’s telling the story, He’s telling the story

Only You

Jesus how I love You

Jesus all Your promises are true

Jesus I will worship You

All my life is in you only You

There’s been some valleys along the way

There’s been some darkness

Along the weary way

There’s been some battles

There’s been some pain

There’s always blood shed

Before you make the gains

There’s always questions

Not much clarity

But there is faith enough to say

The path is winding

And the shadows stay

The end seems clear enough

But I can’t find the way

Voices calling out to me

You’ll never be good enough

You’ll never make it free

You never leave me

You always stay

I belong to You always

O Great God

O great God of mercy                       

We are gathered in Your name

O great God of Heaven

We lift our voices here to say 

Lord we say

Be exalted here

As Your people sing your praise

Be exalted here a song of love we raise

Be exalted here

As Your people sing Your praise

Let our hearts and minds give praise to You our Lord

Be exalted here

O Great God of mercy

Let nothing rob You of Your praise

O great God of Heaven

Nothing can ever take Your place

All glory all honor all power is to You

All glory and honor to Your name

All songs written by Todd Anderson except Heart, Soul, Mind - written by Paul Carlson and Todd Anderson

© 2011 Todd Anderson / Victory Music. CCLI / BMI All rights reserved.