Rend Collective - I Choose To Worship Lyrics
Lyrics
I choose to worship
I choose to bow
Though there’s pain in the offering
I lay it down
Here in the conflict
When doubt surrounds
Though my soul is unravelling
I choose You now
I will praise You through the fire
Through the storm and through the flood
There is nothing that could ever steal my song
In the valley You are worthy
You are good when life is not
You will always and forever be my song
I build my altar
Right here and now
In the midst of the darkest night
It won’t burn out
For You are perfect
No matter what
In the joy or the suffering
I sing it loud
When the enemy says I’m done I lift my praises
When my world comes crashing down I lift my praises high
Till the darkness turns to dawn I lift my praises
I choose to worship, I choose You now
Video
Rend Collective - I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP (Acoustic Performance)
Meaning & Inspiration
Rend Collective released an acoustic performance of their song "I Choose To Worship" on April 3, 2020, offering a stripped-down, intimate presentation of a powerful declaration. This version landed at a time when the world felt particularly fragile, underscoring the song's core message about the nature of faith and devotion. The song isn't merely a spontaneous outburst of feeling; it explores worship as a deliberate act of the will, a choice made regardless of external circumstances or internal emotional states. It speaks to the profound biblical truth that genuine faith isn't dependent on comfort or control, but on the unchanging character of God. The narrative behind the song, especially pertinent in its 2020 acoustic form, seems rooted in navigating difficulty and uncertainty, acknowledging the struggles while steadfastly clinging to a deeper reality – God's worthiness of praise. This isn't a naive dismissal of pain, but a courageous decision to elevate faith above circumstance, mirroring the posture of figures like Job, who worshiped even after devastating loss (Job 1:20-21), or Paul and Silas, who sang hymns in a prison cell (Acts 16:25).
Analyzing the acoustic performance reveals how the vulnerability of the arrangement amplifies the song's message of intentional worship. Without the full band sound, the focus is keenly on the lyrics and the raw emotion behind them, making the choice to worship feel deeply personal and authentic. The song posits that worship is not just something we do when we feel like it, but something we *choose* to do because of who God is, not because of what we have or don't have. This aligns directly with the call in Scripture to intentionally orient our lives towards God, as Joshua challenged the Israelites, saying, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). The song articulates a commitment to this choice, a decision to fix one's gaze on eternal truth when the temporal world is in chaos. It echoes the psalmist's resolve to "extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips" (Psalm 34:1), indicating a continuous, active decision rather than a passive reaction to pleasant feelings.
The profound strength of "I Choose To Worship" lies in its connection to the unwavering nature of God, a cornerstone of Christian theology. The song subtly points to the truth that while our situations change, God does not (Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6). Therefore, the basis for our worship remains constant, providing an anchor in stormy seas. The acoustic setting strips away distractions, leaving the listener confronted with this fundamental choice: will I worship based on my shifting feelings and circumstances, or based on the unchanging reality of God's goodness and faithfulness? This isn't about manufacturing happiness, but about exercising faith – believing that God is worthy of praise even when we can't see the way forward or understand the present trials. It's the spirit captured in Habakkuk 3:17-18, where the prophet declares he will rejoice in the Lord even if everything earthly fails. By presenting the song in this exposed, acoustic format, Rend Collective invites all who hear to consider this foundational biblical principle and make that same courageous choice to worship, finding strength not within themselves, but through the one who gives strength (Philippians 4:13; Psalm 46:1). The song becomes a powerful reminder that even in the quiet, uncertain moments, the choice to worship remains a defiant act of faith and a profound declaration of God's enduring sovereignty and worth.