More than a call to worship, their latest project is a call to life. With Every Time I Breathe, Big Daddy Weave surrenders all that they have, and joyfully admit it is not enough. "We finally realized it is not the greatness of our offering, but it is the greatness of the God we are offering to that makes the difference," says singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Mike Weaver. "It is not the greatness of our songs, but it is the greatness of the God behind the songs. When the little boy showed up with two fish and five loaves, it was so not enough; but that is exactly what Jesus used to feed everyone. The reason our offering seems insignificant is because it is. But God is not looking for our significance. He is looking for our availability."
Heartfelt words from one of the most popular bands in Christian music. Indeed, One and Only, the group's 2002 debut release quickly cracked SoundScan's Christian Top 5 and Big Daddy Weave was rewarded with a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. Fields of Grace, Weave's follow-up, was a stunning display of pure power pop from a band chomping at the bit to get their new songs down on tape. On their third outing, What I Was Made For, the group battled the elements as Hurricane Ivan ravaged their homes. But even in the midst of the storm Mike Weaver says he experienced a fresh outpouring of God's grace and presence. It wasn't until it came time to write for Big Daddy Weave's fourth album that the inspiration dried up.
"We walk through different seasons," Mike explains. "Summer doesn't look like winter. Winter is radically different, but that doesn't mean it is a bad season. I was in this 'Winter' season of wondering why I couldn't hear God like I used to. Where did God go? So when the label said, 'It's time to cut another record,' I said, 'I've got squat!' But you know what? God never left. He never changed. He never stopped being worthy just because I didn't feel like singing a new worship song. He has been here the whole time, even though encountering Him right now means something different."
"It wouldn't have mattered if Mike had brought fifty songs to the table. That doesn't mean they would have been the right songs," says guitarist Jeremy Redmon, who doubles as the band's producer. "We realize we are only doing this because He allows us to. There is a peace that comes with that, because it takes the ownership out of our hands."
Joe Shirk, who handles sax and keyboards for the band, also feels the change of seasons. "We can't help but be changed by our circumstances," he insists. "Change has infiltrated our musical ideas because we hear God differently today than we did four years ago."
That realization sparked a new excitement in Big Daddy Weave. Worship, they discovered, was not simply what happened on the stage. It wasn't something that was confined to Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It didn't just occur during those 'Shout to the Lord' moments.
"Worship goes beyond the rise in popularity of worship music," explains Jay Weaver, the band's steady-on bassist. "It is about how we treat the guy at the cash register at the gas station. Lately I've felt like the woman at the grocery store whose little boy keeps tugging on her skirt. It's like God is continually trying to get my attention. 'It's not just about the music. It's not just about the music. It's not just about the music!' We're beginning to understand that experiencing worship has next to nothing to do with the music."
Drummer Jeff Jones says that concept hit Big Daddy Weave like a tidal wave in the midst of leading worship. "We saw people trying hard to make that time on Sunday morning magical," he muses. "We suddenly realized that unless you are practicing godly character throughout the week, what happens on Sunday morning is just going through the motions. What happens during those times of corporate worship is just a reflection of what goes on in your life throughout the week."
"Worship is a response," Mike declares. "It is not something that you have to conjure up. Worship always happens when you encounter the greatness and glory of the Living God. Isaiah saw God and said, 'Woe is me!' But after the angel touched the coal to his lips he said, 'Here am I, send me!' How did that happen? I don't know, but it was a response to an encounter with God. Worship should be our response to encountering God all the time. The truth is, we don't always feel like it. But does that mean if you don't feel it you just stop? No. We have a choice. We choose to worship in spite of how we feel."
Mike points to the title track (Every Time I Breathe as a perfect example of where the band is right now. "You don't think about taking your next breath," he says. "You don't have breathing on your 'to do' list. If you don't breathe, you die. It is as simple as that. Breathing is a natural part of life. That is what God is calling us to; a lifestyle of worship—to encounter God every moment, as naturally as taking your next breath."
While the songs on album artist=Big Daddy Weave]Every Time I Breathe enhance Big Daddy Weaves' reputation for producing instantly recognizable melodies and tight harmonies, it was the lyrics that the band was most concerned with.
"Our main focus has always been about communication," Mike says. "We don't want people to hear our songs and say, 'Whoa, that was cool.' We want people to hear our songs and say, 'Whoa, I understand what they mean.' I think people will really like these songs, and I think they will understand what we are trying to say. But the reality is that these songs are just fish and loaves. Without the touch of God they are just not enough."
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For Who You Are
Big Daddy Weave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Entirely amazing
That the unseen has become seen
And is to me unfailing
You are the Lord, the Father of lights
You are God the Keeper of my heart
And I praise You, and I praise You
You are the lover of my soul
You are the giver of the second start
And I praise You for who You are
Seems too high for me to reach
To wrap my mind around the mystery
That who You are so constantly
Is who you're making me to be
And who You are does not rely on
What I'm currently surrounded by
You're teaching me to fly
Teach me to fly so high
The lyrics to Big Daddy Weave's For Who You Are are a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to God's unerring love and constant presence in the lives of humanity. In the first verse, the singer acknowledges the wonder and amazement they feel at the fact that the once-unseen God has revealed Himself to them and that His love is unwavering and ever-present. They describe God as the "Lord" and "Father of lights" - two evocative phrases that conjure images of a powerful and benevolent Creator who is responsible for bringing light and life to the world.
In the chorus, the singer sings praise to God for His enduring love and grace. They describe Him as the "lover of [their] soul" and the "giver of the second start," noting that it is through His love that they are able to continue on with purpose and meaning. The chorus is a powerful reminder that despite the struggles and hardships of life, God is always there to lift us up and guide us forward.
The second verse of the song reflects on the mystery of God's plan for humanity. The singer notes that God is constantly shaping and molding them into the person He wants them to be, and that this process can be difficult to understand or accept. However, they also recognize that God's love does not depend on external circumstances - rather, it is a constant, shining beacon that guides them through both the good times and the bad.
Overall, For Who You Are is a beautiful tribute to the power and presence of God's love in our lives. It speaks to the universal human experience of seeking purpose and meaning, and finds comfort and hope in the knowledge that we are all beloved children of a benevolent Creator.
Line by Line Meaning
Totally, completely
Completely and absolutely, without any doubts or reservations
Entirely amazing
Incredibly awe-inspiring and wonderful beyond measure
That the unseen has become seen
That which was hidden and unknown has been revealed and made visible
And is to me unfailing
And what has been revealed to me is forever reliable and steadfast
You are the Lord, the Father of lights
You are the almighty ruler and creator of all that is good and pure
You are God the Keeper of my heart
You are the divine protector and caretaker of my innermost self
And I praise You, and I praise You
And I exalt and celebrate Your greatness and goodness with all my heart
You are the lover of my soul
You are the affectionate and compassionate source of deep emotional fulfillment within me
You are the giver of the second start
You are the one who grants new beginnings and opportunities for growth and renewal
And I praise You for who You are
And I honor and glorify Your identity and character, which is perfect and worthy of all praise
Seems too high for me to reach
Appears to be beyond my grasp or capabilities
To wrap my mind around the mystery
To comprehend or understand the enigmatic and profound nature of Your being
That who You are so constantly
That Your unchanging identity and character are always present and evident
Is who you're making me to be
Is the person You are guiding and transforming me to become
And who You are does not rely on
And Your essence and attributes are not dependent or influenced by
What I'm currently surrounded by
What my immediate circumstances or environment may be
You're teaching me to fly
You are instructing and empowering me to soar and fulfill my potential
Teach me to fly so high
Guide me to achieve greater heights and fulfill my highest destiny
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL WEAVER, MICHAEL DAVID WEAVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edinrinvererefrancisofogba7289
Think I've finally found it! First heard over KSBJ 89.3 FM, 2002. Many thanks!
@ABNAmerican83
I found this CD in our MWR tent at FOB McHenry, Iraq. I listened to this CD endlessly, even fell asleep to it multiple times! A very profound time in my life where I got very close to God. Felt His Divine Presence throughout that tour...
@johnjohnson68510
This is one of my all-time favorite songs.
@RedlovesThunder
One of if not my all time favorite! ALLELUIA
@johnjohnson68510
Amean Amen!
@bethwillard7795
Blessings always ☝🏼💯🙏🙏🙏❤️🥰✋👏👏👏👏💕
@simkani3294
Nostalgia... first heard this on 88.3 FM. (The Wind)
@jrobinsii
Love this song!!! :D
@jimhuebner2119
beautiful
@donttouchthefluff
I do too lol :)