Songs on the new album, produced by Ed Cash (Dave Barnes, Chris Tomlin), Chris Stevens (Toby Mac, Sanctus Real), Jeff Pardo (Josh Wilson, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra), and Steve Wilson (Josh Wilson, Leeland), encompass a full range of human emotions – from the buoyant heights of love to the immense depths of grief; from praising God for His greatness to a cry for those whose lives are broken. It is Diaz’s ability to express the human condition in song that connects him with fellow believers. Through his music the Church receives challenging and encouraging reminders that every broken human life can find redemption in God’s love.
Jonny Diaz released three independent projects before signing with INO Records. His first release as a signed artist was titled More Beautiful You (2009). This album produced the No. 1 radio single “More Beautiful You,” as well as Top 10 “Waiting Room,” and led to a 2010 Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.
In his latest project, Diaz found himself revisiting topics from previous songwriting efforts and collaborating with Audrey Assad, Mia Fieldes, Kate York (co-writer on “More Beautiful You”) and Chris Stevens. “It can be challenging coming up with new ways to express themes that are important to believers. Co-writing encourages and inspires me,” says Diaz. “My own personal growth and new insights gave me fresh perspectives on old material, and co-writing added exciting and alternative ways to express what I was learning.”
One such song is “How Can It Be,” a celebration reveling in the greatness of God. “Years ago I wrote a song called ‘Small Enough’ that posed the question, Can the great God Who created the Universe and the billions of people on this planet also be small enough to know and care about me? I no longer question that aspect of God’s character. Instead, I find myself marveling in the fact that God really is that big and rejoicing in the knowledge that He is genuinely concerned about me.” This new perspective of celebrating life’s difficult questions is also heard in the graceful melodies of “God Is Watching” and the comforting lyrics of “Here and Someday,” a song that takes an honest look at grief.
Do not be mistaken, though. Diaz does not sit back and simply write songs of comfort and encouragement – he confronts timely issues in the Church, such as with the challenge to Christians to not settle for a Sunday routine through the pop-jazz fusion of “Figured Out.” He also takes on a personal search for God’s heart for the poor in the cry of “Break My Heart.” “These days we can become immune, and we need to be brokenhearted for the poor, to feel their pain the way that Christ feels it. We simply cannot sit by and listen to another children’s appeal at concerts or on television.”
The inclusion of the debut radio single “Beauty of the Cross” on the album was especially important to Diaz. “This is the first song I’ve recorded that I haven’t written. The first time I heard it, I was drawn straight to God’s throne in worship. I am not a ‘worship artist’ but there is something special about this song and I wanted to be a part of it,” he explains. “The great irony and beauty here is that we’re singing about one of the most awful torture devices ever conceived by man, and yet we are calling it ‘beautiful.’ Those of us whose lives have been changed by the sacrifice Jesus made for us at Calvary know exactly why the cross is so beautiful.”
Diaz explores another paradox in “What Water Can Do,” written after record floodwaters hit his hometown Nashville. Uncertain how to approach the topic, he considered how the water destroyed houses, took lives and swept away possessions, and started to think about how God uses water in some amazing ways. The song tells the story of one man, who loses everything in the flood, watch his neighbors heed a call to serve, mimicking the response of the Nashville community after the flood. It tells how the people’s service impacted this man as he steps into the baptistry and accepts Christ as Savior. Says Diaz, “Initially water brought tragedy, but God uses water to revive a community and change a man’s life.”
Diaz looks forward to sharing these new songs on the road. Though he has toured with well-known acts like MercyMe and Matthew West, Diaz feels that he finds those opportunities to truly connect with people in smaller venues. “As an artist, I believe God gifted me with an ability to relate through the songs and stories I share. I like looking out at the crowd and seeing the smiles on faces or tears in the eyes and knowing straightaway that these songs are connecting.”
Back when Diaz started playing music in college, he told himself he would continue as long as people were interested – and he feels that it is clearer now more than ever that this is what God has for him. “I love making music; it’s challenging and fun,” he says, “but my prayer is always: Whatever God wants me to do, that is where I want to be. It a prayer of abandon to be used by God wherever and whenever.” And today that is sharing music that entertains, encourages and, above all, challenges the body of Christ.
*From jonnydiaz.com
Chance
Jonny Diaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many times I′ve prayed this prayer before
And then rise on you
Another valley that I must walk through
I wanna cry out let this pass from me
But theres so much I'd miss cause now I see
Hurting is a chance to find you as a healer
Lonely is a chance to fall into your love
Empty is a chance to find that you′re enough
Learning every hard time that seems slow
Is just another chance
A chance to know you more
Won't give in to fear
Even when your ways are far from clear
I won't run and I won′t doubt
I′ll embrace the place you have me now
And every heartache that I'm called to face
You help me find it create a of grace
Hurting is a chance to find you as a healer
Lonely is a chance to fall into your love
Broken is a chance to know you as redeemer
Empty is a chance to find that you′re enough
Learning every hard time that seems slow
Is just another chance
A chance to know you more
Each day
And the trials they can make a way
For me to love your heart
And a little more of who you are
Aching is a chance to find you as my comfort
Fearful is a chance to feel you by my side
Failing is a chance to fall into your mercy
Needing is a chance to know that you'll provide
Hurting is a chance to find you as a healer
Lonely is a chance to fall into your love
Broken is a chance to know you as redeemer
Empty is a chance to find that you′re enough
Learning every hard time that seems slow
Is just another chance
A chance to know you more
The song "Chance" by Jonny Diaz is an inspirational Christian song that encourages listeners to find hope and strength in difficult situations by relying on God. The lyrics are crafted beautifully, with the refrain "Hurting is a chance to find you as a healer/Lonely is a chance to fall into your love/Broken is a chance to know you as redeemer/Empty is a chance to find that you're enough" being repeated throughout the song.
The song speaks about the human experience of going through tough times and how those times can be an opportunity for spiritual growth. It talks about the importance of staying faithful to God even when His ways are unclear and about finding comfort, love, and redemption in Him.
The verses of the song are powerful and remind us that although walking through valleys may be tough, we can trust in God to guide us through. The song encourages us to embrace our situations fully, even the painful ones, because every heartache we face is a chance to know God more. Overall, "Chance" is a song that promotes faith, hope, and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Just to know you more
Desiring a deeper relationship with God
So many times I've prayed this prayer before
Having a history of praying for a closer relationship with God
And then rise on you
Depending on and turning to God during difficult times
Another valley that I must walk through
Facing another trial or hardship
I wanna cry out let this pass from me
Wishing to avoid suffering, but recognizing the potential for growth through it
But there's so much I'd miss cause now I see
Recognizing the benefits of experiencing pain and hardship, including growth and closer relationship with God
Hurting is a chance to find you as a healer
Pain and suffering can lead to understanding and experiencing God's healing power
Lonely is a chance to fall into your love
Feeling alone can lead to experiencing and understanding God's love and comfort
Broken is a chance to know you as redeemer
Experiencing brokenness can lead to understanding and experiencing God's role as a redeemer
Empty is a chance to find that you're enough
Feeling empty can help realize that God is enough and can fill any void
Learning every hard time that seems slow
Recognizing that difficulties can lead to growth and understanding
Is just another chance
Reframing hardships as opportunities for growth and relationship with God
Won't give in to fear
Choosing to trust God, despite uncertainty or fear
Even when your ways are far from clear
Believing in God's plan, even when it isn't apparent or understood
I won't run and I won't doubt
Committing to staying faithful and trusting God in difficult times
I'll embrace the place you have me now
Accepting one's current circumstances as part of God's plan
And every heartache that I'm called to face
Acknowledging hardships as part of God's plan
You help me find it create a of grace
Seeing God's grace and purpose in difficult situations
Each day
Taking life one day at a time
And the trials they can make a way
Seeing how hardships can open up opportunities for growth and learning
For me to love your heart
Growing in love for God through experiencing his grace and presence in difficult times
And a little more of who you are
Getting to know God better through hardships and trials
Aching is a chance to find you as my comfort
Experiencing pain can lead to understanding and experiencing God's role as a comforter
Fearful is a chance to feel you by my side
Feeling fear can lead to experiencing and recognizing God's presence and comfort
Failing is a chance to fall into your mercy
Experiencing failure can lead to understanding and experiencing God's merciful nature
Needing is a chance to know that you'll provide
Recognizing God's provision and trustworthiness when in need
Learning every hard time that seems slow
Recognizing that difficulties can lead to growth and understanding
Is just another chance
Reframing hardships as opportunities for growth and relationship with God
A chance to know you more
Believing that experiencing hardships can lead to a deeper understanding and relationship with God
Writer(s): Tony Wood, Johnny Diaz, Matt Bronleewe
Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.