I heard You calling, I felt You knocking
But I drew further from You every day
I knew better, still my heart grew colder
And I just kept on going my own way
But after all was said and done with me
After all my pride, then my fall
I was so amazed to still find You there
After all I'd done, You still loved me
After all
Your eyes said welcome, Your arms were open
How could I ever doubt Your love was real
You never mentioned all my past rejections
Words can't express the way that makes me feel
But after all was said and done with me
After all my pride, then my fall
I was so amazed to still find You there
After all I'd done, You still loved me
After all
To freely forgive is so hard to do
But You completely forgave
Now I will spend my whole life with You
After all, forever and always
After all was said and done with me
After all my pride, then my fall
I was so amazed to still find You there
After all I'd done, You still loved me
After all
After All Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
After All: A Song of Redemption and Unconditional Love
Introduction:
This song beautifully captures the essence of redemption and God's unconditional love for us. Throughout the lyrics, we witness the journey of the songwriter and how she experiences the transformative power of God's forgiveness. We will analyze the main key messages of the song, discuss its meaning, and critically assess its biblical alignment.
Verse 1: I heard You calling, I felt You knocking
The song begins with the songwriter acknowledging the presence of God in her life. She recognizes that God has been calling and knocking at the door of her heart, seeking a relationship with her. This line reflects the biblical truth that God is constantly pursuing us and desiring to have a personal connection with us. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
Verse 2: But I drew further from You every day
Despite feeling God's presence and hearing His call, the songwriter confesses that she chose to distance herself from Him. This line reflects the common struggle many Christians face, where they allow the distractions and temptations of the world to draw them away from their relationship with God. The Bible warns against this in James 4:8, which says, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
Verse 3: I knew better, still my heart grew colder
In this verse, the songwriter acknowledges her own knowledge of God's truth and the right path, yet she allowed her heart to grow cold. This line speaks to the reality of human nature, where we often know what is right but still choose to go astray. Romans 2:15 explains that God has written His laws on the hearts of all people, giving us a natural understanding of right and wrong. However, we still need God's grace and forgiveness to overcome our sinful tendencies.
Verse 4: And I just kept on going my own way
The songwriter admits to the stubbornness of her heart, persisting in her own ways instead of surrendering to God's will. This line reflects the biblical concept of human rebellion and the need for repentance. In Isaiah 53:6, it is written, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way." However, the songwriter's journey is about to take a turn towards redemption and restoration.
Chorus: But after all was said and done with me
After all the songwriter's failures, mistakes, and stubbornness, she experiences a profound realization. The chorus emphasizes that despite everything, God's love remained constant and steadfast. This line aligns with the biblical truth that God's love is unfailing and does not depend on our actions. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Chorus: I was so amazed to still find You there
In this line, the songwriter expresses her astonishment at discovering that God was still present and available to her, despite her past actions. This realization highlights the grace and mercy of God, who is always ready to receive us with open arms when we turn back to Him. In Luke 15:20, the parable of the prodigal son illustrates this truth as the father eagerly welcomes his wayward son home.
Verse 5: Your eyes said welcome, Your arms were open
The songwriter vividly describes the acceptance and love she encountered when she finally turned back to God. This line portrays God's incredible grace, as symbolized by the open arms and welcoming eyes. The Bible affirms this truth in Psalm 34:18, which states, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Verse 6: You never mentioned all my past rejections
In this verse, the songwriter acknowledges God's complete forgiveness and the absence of any mention of her past rejections. This line highlights the transformative power of God's forgiveness, which removes our past sins and reconciles us to Him. Psalm 103:12 beautifully expresses this truth, stating, "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
Verse 7: Words can't express the way that makes me feel
The songwriter recognizes the inability to fully express the overwhelming emotions that arise from experiencing God's unconditional love and forgiveness. This line resonates with the limitations of human language in capturing the depth of God's love. Ephesians 3:19 describes the love of Christ as surpassing knowledge, indicating that it exceeds our understanding and comprehension.
Bridge: But after all was said and done with me
The bridge repeats the line from the chorus, emphasizing the songwriter's astonishment at God's unwavering love, even after everything she had done. This repetition further reinforces the core message of the song and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and forgiveness.
Conclusion:
"After All" by Babbie Mason is a powerful song that chronicles the songwriter's journey from rebellion and distance from God to redemption and restoration. The main key messages of the song revolve around the unfailing love of God, His pursuit of us, and the transformative power of His forgiveness. The lyrics align with biblical truths and highlight the grace and mercy that God extends to every person. Through this song, we are reminded that no matter our past rejections or failures, God's love remains constant and ready to embrace us when we turn back to Him.