Shawn McDonald - I Want to Be Ready Lyrics
Lyrics
I want to be ready
When the Son Almighty comes
To lay claim to Him
And Him, alone
I want to be ready
To stand at His side
For His eyes to gaze upon me
In His glory and might
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
For Him and Him, alone
I want to be
I want to be ready
To cry out His name
To lay up in His arms
Delight in His fame
I want to be ready
To be embraced by His love
Before Thee Almighty
To take me up above
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
For Him and Him, alone
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
To gaze upon Your throne
To give You all I own
O my King
To fall upon my knees
To give You all the glory
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
I want to be ready
For You alone
I want to be
Video
Shawn McDonald - I Want To Be Ready (lyrics + translatable live captions)
Meaning & Inspiration
Shawn McDonald’s "I Want to Be Ready," released on January 1, 2006, as part of his album *Ripen*, serves as a powerful and direct spiritual anthem, articulating a profound yearning for preparedness for the Lord’s return and eternal presence. The song is not merely a statement of faith but a deeply personal, urgent prayer, echoing the believer's aspiration to stand blameless and welcomed before the Almighty. It strips away all pretense, laying bare the soul’s singular desire to be fully devoted and prepared for that ultimate, promised encounter.
At its core, the message is one of profound anticipation and exclusive devotion, captured in the repeated declaration, "I want to be ready when the Son Almighty comes to lay claim to Him, and Him, alone." This line immediately grounds the song in the scriptural truth of Christ's Second Coming, a cornerstone of Christian belief often referred to in passages like Matthew 24, where Jesus Himself stresses the importance of vigilance because "you do not know on what day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42). The emphasis on "Him, alone" powerfully reinforces the absolute sovereignty of Christ and the exclusive nature of salvation through Him, aligning with verses such as John 14:6, where Jesus proclaims, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." It's a rejection of divided loyalties, affirming a sole allegiance to the King of Kings.
The desire extends beyond mere presence to an intimate relationship, a longing "to stand at His side, for His eyes to gaze upon me in His glory and might." This reflects the yearning for personal acceptance and recognition from the divine, a cherished hope for those who believe. The lyrics further express a wish "to cry out His name, to lay up in His arms, delight in His fame, to be embraced by His love." Here, McDonald paints a picture of profound comfort, security, and adoration. To "lay up in His arms" and "be embraced by His love" speaks to the divine intimacy promised to believers, reminiscent of God’s protective embrace described in Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." The aspiration to "delight in His fame" is an act of pure worship, celebrating God’s unblemished character and mighty deeds, echoing the call to "delight yourself in the Lord" found in Psalm 37:4.
The song culminates in an act of complete surrender and adoration: "To gaze upon Your throne, to give You all I own, O my King, to fall upon my knees, to give You all the glory." This is the ultimate expression of worship, where every earthly possession and accolade pales in comparison to the majesty of God. It directly references the heavenly scenes described in Revelation, particularly Revelation 4:10-11, where the elders cast their crowns before the throne, declaring, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power." The act of falling upon one's knees signifies humility and submission to the divine authority, a posture of worship found throughout Scripture, such as in Philippians 2:10, stating that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." The promise to "give You all I own" is a radical declaration of stewardship and devotion, reflecting Christ's teachings about seeking the Kingdom of God above all else (Matthew 6:33) and recognizing that everything we possess is ultimately His.
Ultimately, "I Want to Be Ready" is a spiritual call to introspection, prompting us to examine our own lives and priorities. It’s a profound reminder that true readiness involves not just intellectual assent to belief, but a lifestyle of active anticipation, unwavering devotion, and wholehearted worship. This song encourages us to cultivate a heart that truly desires the Lord above all else, preparing ourselves not out of fear, but out of a deep and abiding love for the One who is to come, to take us "up above" into eternal communion with Him. It's an inspiring anthem for every believer striving to live a life poured out for "You alone," ready for that glorious day.