Lyrics
Verse 1
I give my life to follow Jesus
Captive to Christ I know true freedom
I count it all joy to take up my cross
I'll follow
Verse 2
These earthly wells have left me thirsty
All worldly wisdom comes up empty
Only Your word and only Your ways
I'll follow
Chorus
What a joy it is to follow Jesus
What a gift it is to bear His name
What an honor to choose surrender
And make Him my everything
Verse 3
When the darkness brings its questions
When trusting You becomes a wrestle
I have resolved no matter the cost
I'll follow
Chorus
What a joy it is to follow Jesus
What a gift it is to bear His name
What an honor to choose surrender
And make Him my everything
What a joy it is to follow Jesus
What a gift it is to bear His name
What an honor to choose surrender
And make Him my everything
Bridge
Yes to surrender
Yes to the altar
Yes to Your plans for me
Yes to correction
Yes to confession
Yes to refining me (Oh, and)
Yes to Your blessing
Yes to anointing
Your Spirit alive in me (And)
Yes to salvation
And resurrection
Yes to eternity
Chorus
What a joy it is to follow Jesus
What a gift it is to bear His name
What an honor to choose surrender
And make You my everything
And make You my everything
Lord, You are my everything
Meaning & Inspiration
"Follow" describes discipleship as a glad surrender rather than a reluctant obligation. The opening verses contrast captivity to Christ with genuine freedom, then set the words and ways of Jesus against sources that leave the soul empty. Taking up the cross, bearing Christ’s name, and accepting the cost of obedience give the song a clear focus on faithful allegiance.
The chorus gathers those ideas into joy, gift, and honor, while the bridge applies surrender to correction, confession, blessing, salvation, resurrection, and eternity. Its repeated affirmations portray a life placed fully before God, including moments when trust involves questions or struggle. That movement closely echoes Jesus’ call to take up the cross and Paul’s willingness to count former gains as loss for Christ. The final declaration that the Lord is everything provides a fitting resolution: discipleship is presented not merely as sacrifice, but as the highest good.
Related Scripture
- Luke 9:23 Jesus calls disciples to take up the cross daily and follow Him.
- Philippians 3:8 Paul counts all things as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
- Romans 12:1 Believers are called to offer themselves to God as a living sacrifice.