Leeland - Lead the Way Lyrics
Lyrics
I thought I knew what was best for my own life
Then I heard You calling me out from the shore line
You draw me in, I wanna give You everything
For I was created to walk with You side by side
You are the way and the truth and the life
There is no fear in Your presence
You lead the way, the way, Jesus You lead the way
You hold the keys to my future my destiny
Your thoughts and your plans are the hope that's in front of me
What a joy it is to give you everything
In life and in death I am
Yours for eternity
You are the way and the truth and the life
There is no fear in Your presence
You lead the way, the way, Jesus You lead the way
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow You
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow You
I don't care if I look like a fool
I don't care if I don't look cool, no
I don't care if I look like a fool
If I don't look cool
I'll be a fool for You, Jesus
I don't care if I look like a fool
I don't care if I don't look cool, no
I don't care if I look like a fool
If I don't look cool
I'll be a fool for You
You are the way and the truth and the life
There is no fear in Your presence
You lead the way, the way, Jesus You lead the way
You are the way and the truth and the life
There is no fear in Your presence
You lead the way, the way, Jesus You lead the way
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow You
Video
Leeland - Lead the Way (Official Live Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Leeland’s "Lead the Way," released on April 3, 2020, as part of the *Better Word (Digital Deluxe)* album, stands as a profound declaration of surrender and divine guidance. The song’s narrative unfolds as a powerful personal testimony, beginning with the common human inclination to chart one’s own course, confessing, "I thought I knew what was best for my own life." This sentiment immediately resonates, capturing the universal struggle of self-reliance versus the recognition of a higher calling. The turning point arrives with the metaphorical "calling me out from the shore line," evoking biblical imagery of Jesus inviting disciples away from their familiar vocations to follow Him, a powerful echo of Matthew 4:19 where Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, saying, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." This initial encounter shifts the perspective from self-direction to an eager yielding, expressed by the desire to "give You everything," rooted in the understanding that humanity was "created to walk with You side by side," reflecting the intimate relationship God intended for Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8.
The core theological anchor of "Lead the Way" is powerfully articulated in the recurring affirmation, "You are the way and the truth and the life," a direct and unequivocal quotation from Jesus in John 14:6. This verse is not merely referenced but celebrated as the foundational truth upon which a life of faith is built. From this truth springs the assurance that "there is no fear in Your presence," a comforting promise echoed throughout Scripture, from Isaiah 41:10 where God commands, "Do not fear, for I am with you," to 1 John 4:18 which declares that "perfect love drives out fear." The song communicates that when Jesus leads, the path, though unseen, is secure and unwavering. This surrender extends to every aspect of existence, acknowledging that God "hold the keys to my future my destiny." This aligns perfectly with the sovereign declarations in Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," and Revelation 1:18, where Christ proclaims His authority over death and Hades, holding the keys.
The joy found in this complete surrender is palpable, transforming the act of giving everything into a profound privilege rather than a burden. The lyrics articulate, "What a joy it is to give you everything / In life and in death I am Yours for eternity," embracing the ultimate commitment found in Romans 14:8, "whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." This unwavering allegiance blossoms into a simple yet profound declaration of discipleship: "I will follow You." The song culminates in an incredibly bold and counter-cultural statement that captures the essence of Christian devotion in a skeptical world: "I don't care if I look like a fool / If I don't look cool / I'll be a fool for You, Jesus." This powerful lyrical turn directly channels the unapologetic stance of early believers and the Apostle Paul, who wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God," and in 1 Corinthians 4:10, "We are fools for Christ's sake." It is a resolute rejection of worldly approval in favor of divine affirmation, embracing the perceived absurdity of faith from a secular viewpoint as an honor for Christ. Through its earnest confession, profound biblical grounding, and courageous declaration of devotion, "Lead the Way" serves as an inspiring anthem for anyone seeking to abandon self-direction and wholeheartedly commit to following Jesus.