Originally from Detroit, Michigan, the six original members were Keith Staten, Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Karl Reid, Michael Brooks, and Michael Williams. In 1991 Staten and Brooks left the group and were replaced by Marvin Sapp, Maxx Frank, and Eddie Howard, Jr.. By 1994 Howard had left the group and Williams left a year later. Hammond also left to pursue a career with the group Radical For Christ. He was replaced by Montrell Darrett. By 2000, Marcus Cole and Chris Poole had taken the place of Sapp and Darrett on the group's last studio album. In 2002 Commissioned released a reunion album which brought back most of the group's former members and featured most of its greatest hits. The group performed live on stage during the 2002 Stellar Awards in Atlanta, Georgia.
(2) An urban Black gospel band with crossover appeal, Commissioned are an extremely evangelistic group in concert who put on such a dramatic show that the altars are routinely packed with repenters following their performances. Members Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Michael Brooks and Marvin Sapp have all done many successful solo projects as well. They spent most of the '90s pursuing those careers, but found themselves back together in 2001 for a reunion tour and the first of another successful series of albums. ~ Bil Carpenter, Rovi
One Step After Another
Commissioned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rain fills the sky
Yet the sun is always there though it seems too hide
Waiting for the right moment to brighten up your life
Just like a mother's love
A child can rest there and be secure
I can be that and much more
If you only give Me half a chance
You've got understand
If you only look My way hear the words I say
I offer you My love
How long must I wait
I am here (right here, right here waiting for you)
I am here (with love unconditional, yeah)
I am here (right here, right here waiting)
Right here waiting for you
Too involved everyday
Looking for love everywhere
I'm the missing piece to your puzzled life
Why can't you see that I care
How many tears do you cry
How many disappointments before you realize
I am what you need
Give y love a try
Standing here with outstretched hands
You've got understand
If you only look My way hear the words I say
I offer you My love
How long must I wait
I am here (right here, right here waiting for you)
I am here (with love unconditional, yeah)
I am here (right here)
Right here waiting
Tell Me why do you insist on loving Me from a distance
I offer you My love but still there is resistance
Draw nigh unto Me and I'll draw nigh to you
There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you
I lay down My life to prove My love to you
Stop hear My voice take a look around
Seek My face while I yet may be found
Won't you come closer draw near
Realize that I'm right here (13 times)
The song "One Step After Another" by Commissioned is a poignant and heartfelt plea from God to the listener to embrace his love and let Him into their life. The powerful lyrics highlight the patience and persistence of God's love which is ever-present even in the midst of darkness and rain. The sun may seem to be hiding, but it is always there waiting to brighten up one's life.
The metaphor of a mother's love is used to convey the depth of God's love, a love that is secure and can be relied on by His children. The singer sings that he can be that security and much more but is only asking for half a chance from the listener to prove it. The song goes on to talk about how people look for love in other places but fail to see that God is the missing piece in their life.
The song concludes with a heartfelt plea from God to draw closer to Him, to realize that He is always there waiting with open arms. The song is a message of love, hope, and faith in God. It highlights the fact that no matter how bad things may seem, God's love is always present, waiting patiently for the listener to embrace it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm waiting for you
God is waiting for the person to come to Him
Rain fills the sky, yet the sun is always there though it seems too hide
God is always there for the person, even if they cannot see or feel His presence
Waiting for the right moment to brighten up your life, just like a mother's love
God is waiting for the perfect moment to bring joy and light to the person's life, much like a mother cares for her child
A child can rest there and be secure, I can be that and much more
God offers the same sense of peace and security as a mother, but can provide even more than that
If you only give Me half a chance, standing here with outstretched hands, you've got understand
God is reaching out to the person and wants them to understand that He is waiting and willing to help
If you only look My way hear the words I say, I offer you My love, how long must I wait?
God wants the person to turn to Him and listen to His message of love, and is questioning how long they will resist Him
Too involved everyday, looking for love everywhere
The person is preoccupied with the search for love and fulfillment in all aspects of their life
I'm the missing piece to your puzzled life, why can't you see that I care
God can fill the void that the person feels and genuinely cares for them
How many tears do you cry, how many disappointments before you realize, I am what you need, give My love a try
God is asking the person to stop waiting and recognize that He can provide the love and support they need
Tell Me why do you insist on loving Me from a distance, I offer you My love but still there is resistance
God is questioning why the person is still keeping Him at a distance despite His offer of love and help
Draw nigh unto Me and I'll draw nigh to you, there's nothing that I wouldn't do for you
God is asking the person to come closer to Him, and promises to do anything for them
I lay down My life to prove My love to you, stop hear My voice take a look around, seek My face while I yet may be found
God emphasizes the depth of His love and urges the person to stop and recognize His presence in their life
Won't you come closer draw near, realize that I'm right here (13 times)
The song is a call to the person to draw closer to God and recognize that He is always there for them
Writer(s): Fred Hammond
Contributed by Elijah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pastorrandyconaway3349
TOP of the line gospel MUSIC.
@michaeljohnsonsr8512
Oh yeah Me and commission For Ever!!! my wife loves them!! my kids love them! they grew up hearing the songs sung by a group that I was blessed to sing with back in the 80's called Totally Committed out of Hampton,Va. We were told we did a pretty good job singing songs by our favorite group Commissioned! BOTH of these groups changed my life! the songs they wrote came straight from the Bible! and to put icing on the cake they wrapped the songs in music...melodies...that were current and trendy! they skillfully used the gifts that God gave each of them! While pouring out their souls in their songs ! these groups changed my life! their songs challenged me to live a Christian life to the fullest! Thanks COMMSSIONED!!! Thanks Julian West, Mark Newkirk,Myke Richardson, Tony Robertson, the late Sam Bell, Rickey Wood's, & Daniel Woolard!!!!!!!REMAIN COMMITTED!!!!!
@michele6691
NO kidding! My siblings and I use to love Commissioned as teens! and I enjoyed Totally Committed I did not know they were from Hampton WOW my daughter is a HU grad "Favorite song from TC is behind every dark cloud!!!
@khrissmith6132
Still and always will listen to commissioned....#1gospel group
@RightCleaningNC
i grew up on Commissioned and i still love them
@josephdouglas7765
My uncle put me on them I was only 8yrs old
@addolfullus
man this one right here is right on time freshman year of high school 1990 this WHOLE album really help me THANK YOU JESUS.
@deborahyuille7874
Wow!!....COMMISSIONED l can't get enough of THESE guys!!
@jme4jesus
I love the Lord Jesus and I want to serve Him, and it is good to know that all it takes is to follow Him one step after another. THANK YOU JESUS
@jamonemims
Commissioned, what a blessing to the body of Christ! Their commitment to their ministry is honorable. The standard they upheld in the industry is remarkable. May God bless them and keep them and continue to cause His face to shine upon them all.