The Song Giver
VH1 used to run “Storytellers,” episodes that allowed songwriters to share about the circumstances and emotions that led to some of the songs people know and love. I’ve always thought that was fascinating…a look behind the curtain…a key to unlock a deeper understanding of lyrics and melody…a window into the heart that birthed the song.
We’ve already shared a video of Janet and AJ Schubert performing their song, “The Brave Way Home” but we want to share some of the story that led to the song, confident that you’ll be inspired to praise the song’s Giver.
As God was birthing the vision of The Brave Way Home in our hearts, AJ was one of the first people we shared that vision with. AJ and Janet faithfully used their incredible talents to create a beautiful vision video with us, bonding us together in purpose and pursuit of what God was setting before us. So it was a natural choice to ask these two musicians to lead us in worship for one of the campfire vision nights we hosted last fall. Janet and AJ circled up with about 35 people in our backyard one night to worship our King and get a window into the mission and vision, the calling and the practical expressions of The Brave Way Home. We shared how we chose the name, how Scripture has influenced and inspired and pulled us forward in pursuit of what God was calling us to, the ways that He was inviting us to step out in faith and obedience, and the ways that fellow believers could walk alongside us. Backyard vision nights were sacred…holy in purpose and uniting in perspective.
That particular night, we got a text from AJ with a voice memo of this beautiful chorus. Janet wrote about what happened that night in an email to us: “So while you were both speaking the other night, I literally just heard this chorus in my head with all of the words and melody. I've always crafted long and hard on lyrics and melodies, so this was a first for me. As soon as we put down our guitars Wednesday night, I told AJ that we needed to immediately take our guitars to the car and record the chorus in case if I forgot it later that night. But it's been swirling in my head ever since, and I truly feel like I didn't write it.”
In the weeks to come, Janet (with some help from AJ and her mama) wrote the verses and bridge while carefully listening to the vision video she and AJ had recorded with us earlier.
And this is the result…a beautiful, heartfelt reflection of the vision of The Brave Way Home…a song given and poured out in obedience. Knowing pieces of the story behind the song only points to the closeness, the kindness, the loveliness of Jesus and every time I sing it, my praise rises to the Song Giver.
