“Without a Word” // Storytellers

We played “Without a Word” for the second time yesterday.  We originally unveiled it at our Epworth Night of Worship and I heard more comments about that song more than any other one.  As we got to 1 Peter 3:1-6 yesterday (the text for the song), I heard just as many positive comments.

This passage presented a dilemma for us: where we really going to write a worship song about women submitting to their husbands and not getting too flashy with their attire?  There was a temptation to write some music and have someone just read the Scripture over it.

But, we are gluttons for punishment.

The Scripture

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

I had a group coming over to the house one night to do some writing of the 2nd section of music.  Before they arrived, I was trying to have a few ideas to start with.  As I studied this passage, I honestly felt like the words and the melody and the chorus came together as I read it:

“The beauty for which I strive cannot be seen on the outside, it’s something that will never fade.  The hidden person of my heart, precious in the sight of God, how I want to take your breath away.”

I pitched the chorus to the group, and they were sold on the concept, the feel, and the chorus, then they asked: “What about the rest of the song?”

I had no idea.

That night, we threw out some possible lines with no real melody to it.  As we worked on 4 songs that night, some ladies felt the challenge to pen some more lyrics for the song.  Angela McCall and Peggy McHugh both went home and began to write great sections of the song that could be used as a verse or bridge.

They emailed me the lines without music to it, and I worked hard at trying to combine their thoughts and put it together for the song.

The Mind of a Woman

Fellas, I tried to get into the head of a woman, and it turns out that the process is rather exhausting.

I’m not making a joke either.  The charge to women in this passage raises all types of defenses, and yet the truth behind it is ingenious and liberating if applied correctly.

If a Christian wife wants her husband to change, there are successful approaches and many unsuccessful approaches.  Unfortunately, many wives try to force, lead, nag, and preach at their husbands and don’t understand why they don’t get it.

In this passage, Peter tells women that don’t try to use your external beauty or your reasoning skills to change their husbands, but allow their beauty and identity in the person of Jesus take their husbands’ breath away.

We wanted the song to sound beautiful, very lyrical, but also very powerful.  It would be a way to show the power of a woman who was living the way Jesus commanded.

Angela did a great job taking the lead because she was able to capture sincerity and emotion through the song.  I have heard so many encouraging words concerning how that song has challenged women to apply the words of 1 Peter 3.  Praise the Lord!

We are releasing the live worship album on January 26th, until then though, you can listen to the recording of it yesterday at church.  You can view it here at about the 67-minute mark.