Once an aspiring symphony conductor, Story didnโt even know she could sing - much less write songs - until she was in her early twenties. Today, Story is not only a gifted vocalist and worship leader but also the composer of one of the most beloved worship songs of our generation - โIndescribable.โ The song has topped charts and been recorded by multiple artists, but most importantly, it has helped people all over the world experience our magnificent God. Story had no idea her life would be used for such a purpose. Set to release her label debut on INO Records (Sara Groves, MercyMe, Derek Webb) in January 2008, Story is still learning that Godโs plan is far deeper and wider than she ever thought possible.
So how did a string bassist from South Carolina end up penning a worship anthem known and loved by millions? It all began with a providential moment in the class registration line her sophomore year at Columbia International University.
โI was a YoungLife leader, and I saw another guy in line wearing a YoungLife t-shirt,โ Story recalls. โHe said he was in a band and asked me if I wanted to come play with them. I had never played in a band โ it had never even crossed my mind.โ The band was Silers Bald, who would later become a popular indie pop-rock band in the Southeast. The young man she met was vocalist Shane Williams, and by the time theyโd made it through the registration line, Story was their newest female member.
Story started out playing string bass, graduated to electric bass, and then took a stab at vocals when the original female vocalist left. Completely out of her comfort zone but willing to trust God with her newfound vocal ability, she even tried her hand at songwriting, and their fans desired more. โThe Lord taught me that itโs not necessarily what I think my strengths are. Thatโs not how He determines what Heโs going to use,โ says Story.
Five years and many road miles later, Story found herself being led a different direction musically, just as Silers Bald was on the brink of signing a deal with Essential Records. โI knew the Lord was telling me it was time for something new, and I needed to be in or out,โ says Story. They amicably parted ways and Story ended up touring with folk-rock artist Andrew Peterson that spring. When her manager suggested she record an independent album with the songs she had written while in Silers, Story was still unconvinced her vocals could stand on their own: โWhy would I do that?โ she answered. โThat would mean Iโd have to sing on it!โ Besides, she was out of money and didnโt have enough songs for a full record.
But those challenges were overcome when God provided more money and more songs. In 2002, Story began recording her first independent album with producer Stephen Gause and trusted that the last song she needed to round out the album would be provided. Soon after, she was driving down a mountain road, eyes fixed on the majesty of her Creator, when she started worshiping and singing, โIndescribableโฆuncontainableโฆYou placed the stars in the sky and You know them by nameโฆโ. Story added verses on the piano and finished the song while reading Godโs own description of His power and might in Job Chapter 38. Her first record was now complete. And considering the road Story had traveled to get to this place, โIndescribableโ was the perfect title track.
What brought โIndescribableโ into churches all across the U.S. and the world was when Chris Tomlin recorded it for his 2004 release, Arriving, produced by Ed Cash (Caedmonโs Call, Bebo Norman, Bethany Dillon). When Cash, a longtime friend of Storyโs from YoungLife circles, suggested that Tomlin use โIndescribableโ as his first single, Story was shocked. โI remember saying, โThat song will never work for corporate worship. Thereโs no way congregations are going to sing that!โ But itโs humbling and amazing to see what the Lord has done. When I was looking for it, I couldnโt find it. When I just started worshiping, He blew me out of the water.โ
โIndescribableโ flew up the AC charts where it stayed 1 for 7 weeks and in the top 15 for 50 weeks. The song was also included on the Passion CD/DVD in 2005, Tomlinโs 2006 release, Live From Austin Music Hall, and performed by Avalon for WoW Worship 2006. The list of accolades goes on, but even with millions of people now familiar with her words, Story takes no more credit for writing them than she would for creating the Appalachian Mountains. โI always think the last song I wrote was my last song. Just when my mind is completely blank and I donโt know if Iโll write a song again, God surprises me. The songs are His - Iโm just the first person who gets to hear them.โ
In 2005, Story released her second independent album, There Is Nothing, produced by Ed Cash and Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay). That same year she married her high school sweetheart, Martin Elvington, and moved to Atlanta to become the worship leader and womenโs pastor for the arts and music community at Perimeter Church.
Shortly after inking the deal with INO Records in 2006, a trial entered Storyโs life that would not only provide her with a deeper understanding of Godโs sovereignty, but also serve as fodder for the songs on her new record. After one year of marriage, Storyโs husband was hospitalized with a brain tumor.
โThere was a time he was on a breathing machine and we werenโt sure he was going to make it. I spent my whole life singing, โโTis so sweet to trust in Jesus,โ but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didnโt really know that sweetness,โ reflects Story. While supporting her husband through surgery, radiation, complications, and intense physical therapy, Story has composed new songs with meaty, real substance that have ministered to her as much as they will minister to her listeners.
โItโs hard to understand why God would allow us to go through this, but I know He works all things together for good, and I feel my new album is reflecting that. Though He leads us through valleys, thatโs when we get to trust Him and draw closer to Him all the more. Though Iโve doubted, His grasp has never released, never slipped. Heโs remained completely faithful to me. He has proven that He really is my foundation and my hope.โ
On a regular basis, Story gets to share this hope with the 100+ women she ministers to through her job at Perimeter Church; and itโs not a job sheโs giving up anytime soon. After all, the opportunity to pour into othersโ lives and treasure each moment reminds Story that she is just a passenger on this remarkable journey.
โMine is not the perfect voice or the perfect life. My life is as messy as the next personโs, and God is using me to speak to the church. For this season of my life, God has really blessed me with some insight into who He is and what that has to do with me. For some reason He just gives it to me in song form.โ
With the way inspiration comes to Laura Story, itโs exciting to wonder what will be around the next mountain bendโฆ
Mighty to Save
Laura Story Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Savior
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Yes, I surrender
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
You're my savior
You can move the mountains
God, You are Mighty to save
You are Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
You rose and conquered the grave
Yes, You conquered the grave
You are Mighty to save
The song "Mighty to Save" by Laura Story is a worship song that emphasizes the need for God's compassion, forgiveness, and salvation. The lyrics suggest that everyone is in need of these things, and that Jesus is the only one who can provide them. The opening lines declare that everyone needs compassion and love that never fails, and that we all need the mercy of God. The next lines highlight the need for forgiveness and the kindness of a savior. The song then declares that Jesus is the hope of the nations and can move mountains.
The chorus repeats the phrase "My God is mighty to save" and declares that Jesus is the author of salvation who conquered death and the grave. The lyrics reveal that Jesus is the only one who can save us from our fears and failures, and that He can fill our lives again. The singer then surrenders to Jesus, giving her life to follow everything she believes in. The bridge encourages us to shine our light for the glory of the risen King Jesus, and the song concludes by repeating the chorus.
Overall, "Mighty to Save" is a declaration of faith and surrender to Jesus as the only source of salvation, compassion, and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone needs compassion
All people require empathy and kindness
A love that's never failing
The love that endures without exception
Let mercy fall on me
I am asking for compassion and forgiveness
Everyone needs forgiveness
All people require pardon for their wrongdoings
A kindness of a Savior
The tenderness shown by a rescuer
The hope of nations
The aspiration of all countries
Savior
A helper to save me from danger or difficulty
He can move the mountains
He is capable of doing the impossible
My God is Mighty to save
My God is strong enough to deliver me
He is Mighty to save
He has the power to rescue me
Forever
Eternally
Author of salvation
The creator of deliverance
He rose and conquered the grave
He won over death by resurrecting from it
Jesus conquered the grave
Jesus became victorious over the grave
So take me as You find me
Accept me for who I am
All my fears and failures
All my worries and mistakes
Fill my life again
Revive me and fulfill my life once more
I give my life to follow
I dedicate my life to trail
Everything I believe in
All my convictions
Now I surrender
Now I give in to Your will
Yes, I surrender
Indeed, I submit to Your will
Shine your light and let the whole world see
Enlighten us with Your illumination that the whole world will witness
We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus
We are singing for the magnificence of Jesus, the resurrected King
You're my savior
You're my rescuer
God, You are Mighty to save
God, You are powerful enough to deliver us
You are Mighty to save
You have the power to rescue us
You rose and conquered the grave
You defeated death by rising from it
Yes, You conquered the grave
Indeed, You triumphed over the grave
You are Mighty to save
You have the power to rescue us
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rodney Clawson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nicke Widjaja
[Verse 1]
Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
[Chorus]
Saviour, He can move the mountains
And my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
[Verse 2]
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender, I surrender
[Chorus]
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
[Interlude]
[Bridge]
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine your lightย and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King!
[Chorus]
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
[Bridge & Outro]
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Angela Tweedle
I love You Jesus. You are mighty to save to the uttermost. All glory and honor and praise belong to You. Thank you Jesus for the Cross.
Justin Whiteley
So true. He saved me from a life of 25+years of drugs. Thank you Jesus.
Robert Key
The opening verse declaring that EVERYONE needs compassion, forgiveness and the kindness of the Savior is what spoke to me this morning. Who is included in โeveryone?โ Long time believers? Yes. Husbands? Yes. Dads? Yep! Even Pastors? You bet!
Christโs compassion, forgiveness and kindness isnโt just a nice little pick-me up for the morning. Itโs not my cozy latte. His grace is so much more! It is what I NEED!
Prayer - Heavenly Father, may I find the focus, the stamina, and the joy that is needed for all that I face this week! AMEN
dysen
this version is incredible. amazing voice and great production
Cory Stajduhar
Beautiful! Glory to God! He is mighty!
Shipping713
Her voice is so beautiful and I love how this lyric video was made :D
Vara Prasad
That is so true, she is our modern day Fanny
Angela Tweedle
Yes Lord your mighty to save to the uttermost. Im in awe of you Lord.
Lucus Boyd
I am sitting in detox and will go to rehab after this. I have an amazing wife and 7 beautiful children. I need GOD to help me defeat my demons or I may lose everything. My God is mighty to save!!
Lisa Graves
Lucus Boyd how are you doing in your life today 9 mo later?