Asbury began leading worship at his church in North Carolina at the age of 17. Even as a kid, music has always had a profound impact on him, "I'd find a CD that I really loved, that really moved my heart and just sit in my room, silent and still and just listen." He was originally planning to attend UNC Chapel Hill when the Lord redirected his path. Through a few friends who had just graduated the onething internship in Kansas City, he was encouraged to go and check it out for himself. "Thinking the internship was solely dedicated to raising up young worship leaders, I decided to come. I soon found that the Lord had tricked me into something much bigger than myself." During this internship each intern was required to sit in the prayer room for long hours each day. After 6 months he "realized that this was what I was made for. To sit before Him and love Him."
Asbury says that his songs usually begin with a gentle nudge or whisper from the Holy Spirit that arises out of tenderness in quiet time with God. "Usually, the Holy Spirit will give me a melody or a chord progression and that's where it all begins. From there, I continue to ask Him what He's saying...I ask, 'How can I express what I am feeling through music?'" His goal through his music is that hearts would fall more in love with Jesus, and that a deep longing to know and love Him more would be awakened, "That when people listen to my songs, they would find themselves in His presence. That people would know the delight of God over them and truly find enjoyment in spending time with Him." Cory, who currently leads worship six times a week with co-leader Matt Gilman, is married to Anna Asbury, a prophetic singer and dancer at the House of Prayer. He has dedicated his life to fasting, prayer and worship, for the raising up of houses of prayer all across the world.
Counted the Cost
Cory Asbury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You
I peel my hands away from earthly things
God, I turn my eyes away from all these worthless things
I lay down honor and fame, I’m sick of building my own name
Lord, let everything I do be for Your glory and Your fame
In the wake of the judgment set to come from Your hand
When all wood hay and stubble will be burned away
Cause’ all flesh is fading fast, only Your word remains
I've counted the cost
I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You
So until the day
When I'll see You face to face
I'll be taking up my cross
I say goodbye to my father, my mother
I cling to You and You alone I’ll have no other
God, this one thing I do, I leave it all behind
Cause’ You said if I searched then it’s You that I would find
I fight the fight of faith, I run the race
Just give me grace that I could seek Your face
So until the day that I die, I’ll be living my life
So in the end when You return I’ll obtain the prize
I've counted the cost
I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You
So until the day
When I'll see You face to face
I'll be taking up my cross
I lay it all down
That I’d be found
A pleasing sacrifice
I’m living for another day
Living for another age
Your kingdom come on earth
One day He’s gonna’ split the sky
One day He’s gonna’ come for His bride
I know it, I know it, I know it, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
In Cory Asbury's song Counted the Cost, he speaks about his willingness to let go of material possessions, human connections, and personal desires for the sake of knowing God. He understands that everything on this earth is temporary and will eventually fade away. He wants to run this race of life with the sole purpose of pleasing God and living for His glory. He mentions leaving behind even his family to cling to God and have no other person or thing distract him from his pursuit of God. Asbury acknowledges that it is a fight of faith but with the grace of God, he is determined to seek God's face until the day he dies.
The song emphasizes the importance of living a life that pleases God above all else. It highlights the fact that one must be willing to give up all personal desires in pursuit of the things of God. The lyrics are reflective, deeply spiritual, and are a reminder to Christians to always take up their cross and follow Jesus in every aspect of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I've counted the cost
I have estimated and considered the full expense and required commitment involved in being a follower of Christ.
I count it all as loss
I view all material possessions and earthly desires as insignificant in comparison to knowing Christ.
For the sake of knowing You
I am willing to give up everything in order to grow closer to and have a deeper relationship with Christ.
I peel my hands away from earthly things
I am letting go of my attachment to material objects and worldly possessions.
God, I turn my eyes away from all these worthless things
Through prayer, I am asking God to help me focus on what truly matters and to turn my gaze from all that is trivial.
I lay down honor and fame, I’m sick of building my own name
I am relinquishing my desire for recognition and status, recognizing the importance of putting God's name before my own.
Lord, let everything I do be for Your glory and Your fame
I pray that every action I take would be motivated by a desire to bring glory to God rather than myself.
Don’t wanna’ be building castles outta sand cause’ I know they won’t stand
I am choosing not to invest my time and energy in things that are temporary and fleeting.
In the wake of the judgment set to come from Your hand
I am aware that there will come a time of judgment and accountability for all of my actions.
When all wood hay and stubble will be burned away
All that is not eternal or founded in Christ will be consumed by God's judgment.
Cause’ all flesh is fading fast, only Your word remains
Everything of this world is temporary, but God's word and promises are eternal.
So until the day
Until the day of Christ's return or until I depart from this life.
When I'll see You face to face
When I will encounter Christ personally and directly.
I'll be taking up my cross
I am choosing to embrace the burden of following Christ, even when it requires sacrifice and discomfort.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother
I am willing to part with anything that could potentially interfere with my relationship with Christ, including close relationships with family members.
I cling to You and You alone I’ll have no other
I am pledging my devotion and loyalty solely to Christ, not allowing any other desires or attachments to come before Him.
God, this one thing I do, I leave it all behind
I am giving up all that is not Christ-centered, abandoning any personal ambition or pursuit that does not align with His will.
Cause’ You said if I searched then it’s You that I would find
I trust in God's promise that if I seek Him with all of my heart, I will find Him.
I fight the fight of faith, I run the race
I am determined to press on in my faith journey, persevering despite difficulties and challenges.
Just give me grace that I could seek Your face
I am relying on God's grace and guidance to help me stay focused on seeking Him above all else.
So until the day that I die, I’ll be living my life
I am committing to live my life in service to Christ until my dying breath.
So in the end when You return I’ll obtain the prize
I am trusting that the reward of eternal life with Christ is worth any sacrifice or hardship I may face in this life.
I lay it all down
I am surrendering everything to God, holding nothing back.
That I’d be found
My ultimate goal is to be found blameless and righteous in God's eyes.
A pleasing sacrifice
I desire for my life to be a pleasing offering to God.
I’m living for another day
I am living with a future-focused mindset, anchored in the hope of Christ's return.
Living for another age
I am striving to live in a manner consistent with the values and priorities of God's eternal kingdom.
Your kingdom come on earth
I am praying for and working toward the advancement of God's kingdom here on earth.
One day He’s gonna’ split the sky
I believe in the second coming of Christ, when He will dramatically return to earth.
One day He’s gonna’ come for His bride
Christ will return for His devoted followers, often referred to as the 'bride of Christ.'
I know it, I know it, I know it, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
I am filled with confidence and assurance in the truth of Christ's return and the promise of eternity in His presence.
Contributed by Christian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.