It was during his first year of college, that Matthew began playing guitar and writing songs. By Matthew's senior year, he was playing at every venue imaginable, from Fraternity houses to churches, and youth groups.
He signed an exclusive songwriting deal only a week after graduating and making the move to Nashville. His songs have been recorded by various artists including Rachel Lampa's most recent single, "Savior Song," which was Matthew's first top-5 song as a writer. Some other highlights were having songs placed on the platinum selling WoW 2002 project and also having his song, "Heart of Every Man recorded for the World Youth Day 2000 official soundtrack.
Matthew continued pursuing his dream of singing his own songs. Matthew had the opportunity to travel to universities across the country, and quickly began building up a steady following. With the help of Word Music and Extreme Writers Group, Matthew recorded an independent CD called, "Sellout," which caught the attention of Universal South Records.
Since signing with Universal South, He has released several albums, starting with "Happy" in 2003, "History" in 2005, and "Something to Say" in 2007; along with the re-release of Sellout in 2006. The Forgiveness Songfacts reports that West's fifth album, "Into the Light," is scheduled to be released on September 25, 2012.
Broken Things
Matthew West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I stopped at the gate
Thinking I don't deserve to pass through after all the mistakes that I've made
Oh but I heard a whisper
As Heaven bent down
Said, "Child, don't you know that the first will be last and the last get a crown"
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it's true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I'm all Yours
The pages of history they tell me it's true
That it's never the perfect; it's always the ones with the scars that You use
It's the rebels and the prodigals; it's the humble and the weak
All the misfit heroes You chose
Tell me there's hope for sinners like me
Now I'm just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it's true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I'm all Yours
Grace is a kingdom
With gates open wide
There's a seat at the table just waiting for you
So, come on inside
Matthew West's song "Broken Things" speaks about the concept of grace being a kingdom and how even though we don't deserve to enter it due to our sinful nature and past mistakes, we are still welcome. He sings about how he is just "a beggar in the presence of a King" and wishes he could offer more, but realizes that broken individuals like himself are the ones that God chooses to use for His greater purpose. The song points out that throughout history, God has used imperfect individuals with their share of scars to do great things in the world, and that there is hope for sinners like us.
The lyrics of "Broken Things" are a reminder that regardless of our past, God's grace is available to us if we choose to believe in Him. The idea that brokenness can be used for God's glory is a common theme in Christian music and literature. The song emphasizes that it's not about being perfect or without flaws, it's about our willingness to surrender ourselves and follow God's will.
Line by Line Meaning
If grace was a kingdom
Grace is like a kingdom
I stopped at the gate
I hesitate to enter
Thinking I don't deserve to pass through after all the mistakes that I've made
I am unworthy and ashamed of my past mistakes
Oh but I heard a whisper
But then I heard a soft voice
As Heaven bent down
As if the sky itself drew closer to me
Said, "Child, don't you know that the first will be last and the last get a crown"
Reminded me that even though I feel insignificant, everyone has their own chance to shine
Now I'm just a beggar in the presence of a King
Now I realize I am humble in front of a higher power
I wish I could bring so much more
I wish I had more to offer
But if it's true You use broken things
But I've heard that even broken people have a purpose
Then here I am Lord, I'm all Yours
So here I am, I am Yours to use
The pages of history they tell me it's true
I've read about people in the past who were flawed but accomplished great things
That it's never the perfect; it's always the ones with the scars that You use
God uses the ones who have suffered and been hurt in their lives
It's the rebels and the prodigals; it's the humble and the weak
It's the ones who have gone astray, and the ones who are meek
All the misfit heroes You chose
God chooses the outcasts to be heroes
Tell me there's hope for sinners like me
That means there's hope for me too
Grace is a kingdom
Grace is like a kingdom
With gates open wide
The gates are always open
There's a seat at the table just waiting for you
There's always a place for you
So, come on inside
So come in, take a seat
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: Matthew West, Jason C Houser, Andrew Jacob Pruis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Needabreathru
Betsy I will pray for you sister. ALthough i cannot immagine the pain you feel i have experience with feeling unworthly and worthlessness because of my past. I know that is my biggest question i have for God is the pain and suffering in the world, but i know that this world is not what its suppose to be we are fallen creatures and I am sure our Creator is greived because of its condition.
Please take comfort in our father knows what you are going thru. Jesus went through horrific pain being scourged and nailed to the cross. He is with you every step of the way. So when its really hard just keep praising (WHich i know can sometimes be challenging).
One day when we go to Heaven we will have new bodies and wont it be glorious to live with him in perfection and love forever.
Stay Strong SIster.
Dear Heavenly Father, Please watch over Betsy and give her strength, endurance and peace, Please continue to walk with her, comfort her every second and let he know that she is Loved. I pray this in the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
@morgyton8890
When I carry a Bible,the devil gets a headache.
When I open it,he collapses.
When I read it, he faints.
When I live it, he flees.
When you are just about it repost this he try to discourage you.
I love God and so do you!
<3
@RebeckaGomes
If grace was a kingdom
I stopped at the gate
Thinking I don’t deserve to pass through after all the mistakes that I’ve made
Oh but I heard a whisper
As Heaven bent down
Said, “Child, don’t you know that the first will be last and the last get a crown”
Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I'm all Yours
The pages of history they tell me it’s true
That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use
It’s the rebels and the prodigals; it’s the humble and the weak
All the misfit heroes You chose
Tell me there’s hope for sinners like me
Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I'm all Yours
Grace is a kingdom
With gates open wide
There’s a seat at the table just waiting for you
So, come on inside
@Needabreathru
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in the name of our Lord and saviour Yeshua HaMashiach. I listen to this and was reminded of the immense gift that our Saviour gave to the world. Yet while we were still sinners he bore our sins, was scourging beyond recognition with a whip that had pieces of ragged materials attached. God laid our sins upon him and he willingly did this for us. I am reminded to never turn my back on my Faith. I was such a broken person a few years ago, childhood traumas, I used to justify my own sins, my mind was lost i was a walking corpse.
God looked into my excuse for a life and pursued me, waited on me and saved me. Through my doubt, my questions and selfishness he never gave up on me. I finally bowed my knee and proclaimed Yeshua my Lord and Saviour and i was never the same. I have done so many things in my past that i am ashamed of but God in his rich mercy forgave me. The road was not easy and it still is not easy as i struggle daily but I intentionally pick up my cross, deny my flesh and follow Christ. I am redeemed, I am forgiven, I am sealed, I am a child of THE MOST HIGH CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE.
My Hope is in Yeshua because he has made all things new.
GOD'S Blessing on each and every one of you in the name of our Saviour and Lord Yeshua.
@abigaildivo6804
imagine you have 2 ceramic pots. one is cracked and is missing pieces. the other is perfect. now you put a candle into both of them and put a lid on. which pot do you see more light coming through? the broken one. thats what God does. you have to be broken to let God's light shine through <3
@ashleymavity650
You are very wise and I love what you said .thankyou for saying that
@clarissathurston4403
This is an awesome illustration
@annagurs6795
wow 😭💛
@radiancemussington9131
Brilliant! I love it! :)
@freyaaldrnari6086
Amen....I love Jesus so much.... I feel Him.... Through the pain. ....and the blood of the lamb.... I am in pain, my body hurts....but I am shining in my own way
@snick5811
I am ashamed to call myself a follower of Christ. I'm filthy and broken. My traumas and my insecurities are hauntinf me every day. I hope I can walk with Jesus again. please pray for me.
@samanthabowers6935
We are all sinners and fall short of the kingdom of God. If you seek him, he will knock at the door. You just have to open the door.
@ZetaFalcon
😂that's what we all say.........
@amandab6835
"Mama, why are you crying?"
"Because I am broken and God will still use me" ❤️