Nelson's musical abilities were further cultivated while he was a student at the Baltimore School for the Arts and Morgan State University where he studied under the esteemed choir director Dr. Nathan Carter. Nelson was soon traveling the globe and conducting choirs his self and working in the music department at his father's church. About fifteen of his friends and he would also get together and sing at church. When Karen Clark-Sheard was coming to perform at his church, she needed some backing singers and his friends stepped in. "It wasn't a formal group," he recalls. "It was just something we did and after we did that service with Karen, we really enjoyed working together and that's when we became Purpose."
At the same time, Nelson had found a lucrative and comfortable income as an executive with a computer software company. Then, something happened to fuel Nelson's writing abilities. "Around 2001 when all of the dotcoms went down I was unemployed and that's when my passion for writing came alive," he says. "I began to write all these songs because I was living off of unemployment. That process took me through a whole thing because of my experience. The song `Healed' definitely came out of that."
Purpose had recorded the song "Healed" on their own self-financed CD in 2002. Nelson had met Grammy-nominated choir leader, Donald Lawrence, at a Washington, D.C. workshop in 2000. "When Donald heard `Healed' he said, `I'm gonna record that song.' He felt that message was what God was saying to the church at the time." Lawrence's words proved prophetic and his rousing rendition of "Healed" became a Top Ten gospel smash in 2005. The icing on the cake was that the song won Nelson the Stellar Award as Songwriter of the Year in 2006. He was presented with the award by the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. "I was so shocked that I won," Nelson laughs. "That I didn't even realize that it was Aretha who gave me the award."
Perhaps, the greatest award is that Nelson's songs were now in demand. "I met Troy Sneed at a Gospel Music Workshop of America convention. He said that he had heard a song Purpose recorded called `The Right Place' and that he wanted to record it." Sneed produced the song on Pastor Rudolph McKissick and it became a Top 5 Billboard gospel hit.
It was through Sneed that Nelson would enjoy his biggest song yet. "Troy called one day and said that he was coming to Baltimore to record a group of youth," Nelson recalls. "He called me on a Tuesday and I didn't have a song that night. I wrote `The Struggle is Over' in about ten minutes. The scripture for it comes from Deuteronomy 1: 6-8 in the NIV version. In that scripture, the Lord spoke to Moses to tell the children of Israel they could now come out of the wilderness and possess the land that God promised them in Canaan. So, for them, the struggle was over. So, during the recording that night, the kids were crying and Troy said, `This will be the single.'"
Indeed, it was the single. Released in the winter of 2006, the congregational ballad became the surprise hit of the summer when it spent 12 weeks at #1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Gospel Songs chart. "I never thought it was single worthy," says Nelson. "It didn't sound commercial to me but I apologize for that because obviously the song has resonated with many, many people and touched them."
It was that spirit of touching hearts and minds that permeated Nelson's self-financed concert recording in December 2006. "I undertook that whole project without even knowing if any recording label was going to release it," Nelson confesses. "I took a risk."
Then, Troy Sneed's publicist introduced Nelson to Integrity Music consultant Stacy Merida, who then brought Nelson to the attention of executives at Integrity Music and helped fashion his recording agreement. Now, that live recording which features cameos by William Murphy, Nikki Ross and Sheri Jones-Moffett is finally making its brilliant debut. "My whole concept is dealing with success, victory and triumph," says Nelson. "I expect supernatural success. This CD was in response to the success of `The Struggle is Over' in 2006. The theme of songs like `My Name is Victory' and `Champions' are all in response to the success that God has given us."
"Most songs I get from sermons," Nelson explains. "It comes from divine inspiration. The speaker might say one word but that one word goes into a whole thing. The song `Capacity' came during a service. My father was preaching and while he was preaching, I started writing that song." There was another time when Todd Hall was prophesying in a church service and "he said to turn to your neighbor and say `my praise causes things to look bettah' and instantly every word of that song `Bettah' was written right there in the service."
The only song that Nelson and his frequent songwriting collaborator, Justin Savage, didn't write
is Chris Tomlin's "How Great is Our God." Nelson says, "I heard it at a worship service and it spoke to me. It's an intoxicating song. A whole church no matter what race, creed or color can sing along to it. It became an anthem at my church."
An anthem for Nelson's personal life is the title song, "Right Now Praise." He says, "I wrote that during a difficult time in my life back in 2003. I was on the verge of losing my home and my car. I was working as a substitute teacher. I was in a very low place. My car is my mediation place. I was crying down the road and started singing a melody to the Lord and that's when `Right Now Praise' came to me. I had to rush into school and get to my tape recorder and put it down before I forgot it. Everything with this project is timing. I feel like its time for whatever God has for me to do right now. This is my God ordained time for my life.
http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=1420
Called to Be
Jonathan Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the journey of life
There are winding roads
Mountains high and valleys low
Though the road ahead may be unknown
I'm still focus on the prize that worth pressing for
-Chorus-
I say Yes,
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you called me to be
That's what I'll be
-Verse-
All road sign read destiny
I'll follow where ever you lead
Nothing can hinder me
For the prize is all I see
I see
-Chorus-
I will be what you called me to be
I say Yes,
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you called me to be
That's what I'll be
(repeat 2x in harmony)
-Vamp-I say Yes, Yes, I agree
(repeat over & over)
(Invert up)
These lyrics in the song "Called to Be" by Jonathan Nelson portray the journey of life as a road filled with unpredictable twists and turns, highs and lows, and unknown challenges. However, through all of this uncertainty, the singer is steadfast in his focus on the prize, or the ultimate goal, that is worth pressing forward for. The singer acknowledges that his role in this journey has been specifically laid out for him by a higher power, and as such, he willingly surrenders to this divine purpose. The singer expresses his passion and desire to fulfill this calling, stating that it is what he was created to do. Despite road signs that may read "destiny" or a predetermined fate, the singer has committed himself to follow wherever this higher power leads, declaring nothing will hinder him from achieving his ultimate goal.
The lyrics in this song are a poignant reminder to stay focused on the bigger picture, even when life throws unexpected curveballs. It encourages listeners to remain committed to their purpose, even when the road ahead is unclear, and to trust that a divine plan is guiding their journey. Ultimately, the song inspires people to say yes to their calling and to passionately pursue what they were created to do.
Line by Line Meaning
In the journey of life
Life is a journey full of experiences
There are winding roads
There are unpredictable twists and turns in life
Mountains high and valleys low
Life has its ups and downs
Though the road ahead may be unknown
Despite not knowing what tomorrow holds
I'm still focus on the prize that worth pressing for
I remain determined to achieve my goals
I will be what you called me to be
I am ready to fulfill my calling
I say Yes,
I wholeheartedly accept your plan for me
Lord I agree
I acknowledge your authority and submit to your will
My desire, passionately
I ardently long for
Is to be what you called me to be
To fulfill my divine purpose
All road sign read destiny
All paths lead to my destiny
I'll follow where ever you lead
I will go wherever you guide me
Nothing can hinder me
I won't let anything stop me
For the prize is all I see
My focus is on the ultimate reward
I say Yes, Yes, I agree
I affirm my commitment
Contributed by Stella E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patriciaendris925
In the journey of life
There are winding roads
Mountains high and valleys low
Though the road ahead may be unknown
I'm still focused on the prize that's worth pressing for
I will be what you've called me to be
I say yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you've called me to be
That's what I'll be
All road signs read destiny
I'll follow where ever you lead
Nothing can hinder me
For the prize is all I see
All I see
I will be what you called me to be
I say yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you called me to be
(And guess what church) and that's what I'll be
I wonder can we just raise that praise in the house?
I will be
I will be what you called me to be
I say yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you called me to be
And that's what I'll be
Oh Lord and beauty
Raise your voice to the Lord and tell Him, say it!
I will be what you called me to be (let that be your prayer tonight)
I say yes
Lord I agree
My desire, Jesus (my desire)
That's what my desire is (passionately)
Is to be what you called me to be
That's what I'll be
I wonder can I get about 200 people
To say yes to God right here in this moment
Repent for resisting His way and His plan for your life
And just accept it, yes, that He's already pulled you to be
I say yes, yes, I agree
I say yes, Jesus, yes, I agree (I won't resist)
I lift my hands and surrender) say yes
In this ministry, I agree (yes, I agree)
Whatever You tell me to do Jesus (I say yes)
Yes I agree (yes, I agree)
Somebody lift your hands and say, "I say yes""
I say yes (to Your will, to Your way)
I agree (yes, I agree)
I won't resist Your will
I won't resist Your plan
I walk in my destiny (I say yes)
Yes, I agree (yes, I agree)
Just lift your hands and say it
I will be what you've called me to be
(Tell the Lord I say yes)
I say yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately (Lord)
Is to be what you've called me to be
And that's what I'll be
I will be what you called me to be
I say yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you called me to be (and tell the Lord, and that...)
That's what I'll be
@janeikawebb7324
••LYRICS••
In the journey of life
There are winding roads
Mountains high and valleys low
Though the road ahead may be unknown
I'm still focus on the prize that worth pressing for
I will be what you 've called me to be
I will say Yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you 've called me to be
That's what I'll be
All road signs read destiny
I'll follow where ever you lead
Nothing can hinder me
For the prize is all I see
I see
I will be what you called me to be
I say Yes
Lord I agree
My desire, passionately
Is to be what you called me to be
That's what I'll be
(Repeat 2x in harmony)
-Vamp-I say Yes, Yes, I agree
(Repeat over & over)
(Invert up)
@influenceh
This is our departure song at the end of each service in our church. Because this song reminds us of being God's workmanship designed with an intention to bring glory to HIM, in whatsoever we do. God bless you Jonathan Nelson & Purpose. From "Influence Heritage", Portharcourt, Nigeria
@gracejohn4129
It's such a powerful song!!!🔥
It needs more likes.
@kenraysglobalservices8068
11 years after.... Today I was in a church service, and this was the departure song. I had to come online and download it coz it really ministered to me❤
@ndunnavictor4086
This song ministers to me personally on a daily basis.
Since 11 Years ago
I play it
It soothes my mind
Thank you Jesus
@laurenwilson1426
What I love most about this video is that not only are the lyrics awesome but seeing the drummer singing the lyrics while playing shows that there are TRUE Ministrels out there who will worship and not just be mere musicians.
@annetteshorey738
Yes!!! yes!!!! i was saying the same thing.
@GodsChosenMekAmoR
me toooo, lolol...very rare...worship
@mztuck3
Yes he caught my attention too
@ServitricediCristo
That's right and that's how it supposed to be
@broadpeakinfradevo5267
@Lucas Hendrickson true