In 2008, after five solo album releases, and nine with Passion, Tomlin made the move from Texas to Atlanta to be a worship leader for Giglio’s new church, Passion City Church, with its first service being held in February of 2009. Tomlin has since released four solo worship albums, two Christmas albums, and one live album.
In 2013, Tomlin’s seventh album Burning Light debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart, becoming only the fourth album by a Christian artist to top that chart, along with Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace) by Bob Carlisle, You Light Up My Life by LeeAnn Rimes, both in 1997, and TobyMac's Eye On It in 2012.
Tomlin has recorded some of the most famous songs ever in Christian music, such as How Great Is Our God, Holy Is The Lord, Our God, and Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)
Throughout his successful career, Tomlin has won 22 GMA Dove Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, and a Grammy.
Chris Tomlin’s discography: The Noise We Make (2001)Not To Us (2002)Arriving (2004)Live From Austin Music Hall (2005)See The Morning (2006)Hello Love (2008)Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship (2009) And If Our God Is For Us… (2010)How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection (2011)Burning Lights (2013) Love Ran Red (2014)Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship (2015) Never Lose Sight (2016)
Not To Us
Chris Tomlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No turning back, raise the banner high
It's not for me, it's all for You
Let the heavens shake and split the sky,
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It's not for us, it's all for You
Not to us, but to Your name
Be the glory
Repeat
Our hearts unfold before Your throne
The only place for those who know
It's not for us, it's all for You
Send your holy fire on this offering
Let our worship burn for the world to see
It's not for us, it's all for You
[Chorus]
The earth is shaking, the mountains shouting its all for You
The waves are crashing, the sun is raging
Its all for You
The universe spinning and singing
Its all for You
Children dancing, dancing, dancing
Its all for You
Chris Tomlin's song "Not To Us" is a worship song that affirms one's allegiance to God. The lyrics declare the singer’s commitment to follow God and serve Him wholeheartedly. The phrase "The Cross before me, the world behind, no turning back, raise the banner high" suggests the singer's decision to put Jesus Christ before the world's standards and to carry His banner without looking back. The song declares that the worshipper has no interest in receiving any credit or glory for his worship, but all of it belongs to God. Therefore, the phrase "Not to us, but to Your name be the glory" underscores the singer’s desire to acknowledge and exalt God only, without any thought of himself.
The second stanza refers to the outpouring of worship from the people of God. It invites the heavens to shake and split the sky as a sign of the worshipper's commitment to God. The phrase "let the people clap their hands and cry" is an expression of excitement and joy that comes from the sight of God's presence. The focus of the worship is not for anyone's sake, but all for God. The phrase "Let our worship burn for the world to see" emphasizes the desire for the impact of worship to go beyond the worshipper but to go out to the world to draw others to God.
In conclusion, "Not To Us" is a worship anthem that declares commitment to God's Kingdom and a rejection of the world's standards. It is a call to worship God alone, without any thought of personal gain or recognition. The song invites the worshipper to lay down their life before God and let their worship be a witness to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The cross before me the world behind
I have left the world behind me and placed the cross of Jesus before me, serving as my focus.
No turning back, raise the banner high
I am steadfast in my faith and will raise the banner high, proclaiming my allegiance to Jesus.
It's not for me, it's all for You
Everything I do, say, and believe is for Jesus, not for my personal gain.
Let the heavens shake and split the sky,
May there be a powerful response to our worship, felt even by forces beyond our vision.
Let the people clap their hands and cry
May people be filled with emotion at the beauty and truth of worshiping Jesus.
It's not for us, it's all for You
Our worship and devotion is not self-centered or self-serving, but only for Jesus and His glory.
Not to us, but to Your name
We choose to give all glory and honor to Jesus, recognizing our insignificance in the grand scheme of things.
Be the glory
The glory belongs solely to Jesus.
Our hearts unfold before Your throne
We open our hearts and lay them before the throne of Jesus, showing vulnerability and submission.
The only place for those who know
The throne of Jesus is the only place for those who truly know Him and recognize His worthiness.
Send your holy fire on this offering
May Your Spirit fill our worship and offerings, making them holy and acceptable to You.
Let our worship burn for the world to see
May our worship be evident and impactful, showing the world the love and power of Jesus.
The earth is shaking, the mountains shouting its all for You
The natural world even responds to the majesty of Jesus, shouting out how worthy He is.
The waves are crashing, the sun is raging
Even the forces of nature recognize the glory of Jesus and respond accordingly.
The universe spinning and singing
The entire universe sings out in praise to Jesus.
Children dancing, dancing, dancing
Even children join in joyous celebration of Jesus and His worthiness.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Veronica
on Here I Am to Worship
hi.
Lupita Vique
on God of This City (Live from Passion)
■ There is no one like our God. For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City. ■