Bob Carlisle - After All Lyrics
Lyrics
I stumble to the mirror
Say everything's all right
But the man in the mirror
Never lies
The aged face I see
Staring back at me
Shows the years
Shows the miles
Now I'm no perfect husband
But I do so love my wife
And my kids are the greatest gift
I know
But some times when I'm alone
I still wrestle with my soul
And start feeling out of place
Like a lost boy
Trying to get back home
Chorus:
After all
The heartache and the pain
All the bridges I have crossed
And the ones I've left in flames
After all
The sorrow and regret
All the times I turned away
When you called
You still love me
After all
The story of my life
I keep hidden deep inside
Like a book collecting dust
Upon a shelf
But it's there inside of me
That man that no one sees
The one that falls apart
But I'm strong enough
To never let it show
Chorus
Now I don't pretend to know
Why the truth has been so slow
To go the distance
From my head down to my heart
I know the journey's not that great
But for all the time it takes
I'd swear that we were worlds apart
Chorus
Video
After All
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 23, 1999, as part of the *Left Behind (The Movie Soundtrack)*, Bob Carlisle's "After All" stands as a poignant confession and a powerful anthem of grace. The song immediately immerses the listener in a deeply personal narrative, beginning with an introspective gaze into a mirror, where the narrator confronts the undeniable marks of time and experience. He acknowledges a life lived with imperfections, declaring, "The aged face I see / Staring back at me / Shows the years / Shows the miles." This initial vulnerability sets the stage for a raw and honest exploration of the human condition, where despite loving his wife and children profoundly, an internal battle persists, leaving him feeling "out of place / Like a lost boy / Trying to get back home." This struggle resonates deeply with the wrestling Paul describes in Romans 7:15-20, revealing the constant tension between our intentions and our actions, the good we desire and the evil we find ourselves doing. It's a universal longing for belonging and spiritual peace, much like the psalmist’s yearning for God as a deer pants for water in Psalm 42:1-2.
The core message of "After All" powerfully unfolds in its recurring chorus, a profound declaration of God's unwavering love in the face of human fallibility. Carlisle sings of "the heartache and the pain," "all the bridges I have crossed / And the ones I've left in flames," and "the sorrow and regret." These lines speak to the cumulative weight of life's errors, the self-inflicted wounds, and the deliberate turning away from divine calling. Yet, in astonishing contrast, the chorus culminates with the breathtaking realization: "You still love me / After all." This unwavering affirmation of God's enduring love echoes Lamentations 3:22-23, reminding us that "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." It is a testament to the unconditional nature of divine grace, a love that persists despite our sinfulness, as underscored in Romans 5:8: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The narrative deepens as Carlisle reveals the hidden aspects of his internal life, portraying "The story of my life / I keep hidden deep inside / Like a book collecting dust / Upon a shelf." He speaks of "that man that no one sees / The one that falls apart," yet maintains an outward facade of strength, resolute "to never let it show." This vivid imagery speaks to the masks we often wear, concealing our true struggles, fears, and brokenness from the world, and sometimes even from ourselves. It's a poignant reflection on the importance of authenticity and the need to lay bare our true selves before God, who sees beyond the external, into the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Proverbs 4:23 encourages us to "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life," highlighting the critical importance of addressing the inner man, even the parts we try to keep hidden.
In its final verse, the song confronts the persistent disconnect between intellectual understanding and genuine spiritual transformation. The narrator grapples with why "the truth has been so slow / To go the distance / From my head down to my heart," describing the journey as one where "I'd swear that we were worlds apart." This eloquent expression captures a universal spiritual struggle: knowing what is right, understanding biblical truths, yet finding it difficult to fully integrate those truths into the core of one's being, into the driving force of one's decisions and emotions. This is the essence of belief that transforms, not just informs, as articulated in Romans 10:9-10, where it's not merely knowing the truth, but believing "in your heart" that leads to salvation. The journey from head knowledge to heart conviction is often challenging, yet it is the path to true spiritual growth and intimacy with the divine. "After All" ultimately serves as an inspiring declaration that despite our ongoing human struggles, our hidden flaws, and the slow, arduous process of spiritual integration, God's love remains constant, beckoning us home, providing steadfast reassurance that we are eternally loved and accepted.