Steven Curtis Chapman - Broken Dreams Lyrics
Lyrics
I had a dream
Of how my life was gonna be
A man of honor with a stellar reputation
And I had a dream
That he'd come sweep me off my feet
The vow, the kiss, the dance, the celebration
And I really can't explain it
And I know it makes no sense
How my broken dreams have turned into a miracle like this
Up in the sky tonight there is a new star shining
Listen and you will hear a new song in the wind
And here we are down on our knees
In breathless amazement of how this could be
Oh, the beauty that can only come
When God breathes life into our broken dreams
We had a dream (We had a dream)
He would be a mighty king
Our rescuer, our warrior, Messiah
Now our hopes are being shattered
As they nail his hands and feet
As they roll the stone in place we thought death had the victory (but)
Up from the grave the Savior of the world has risen
Listen and you will hear him sayin' "It is done"
And here we are down our knees
In breathless amazement of how this could be
Oh, the beauty that can only come
When God breathes life into our broken dreams
That's why we sing
Holy, holy
Over all our broken dreams we still can sing
Holy, holy
Up in the sky tonight we see the same star shining
The babe, Emmanuel, God with us then and now
We lift our hands to our Savior and King
In breathless amazement of how this could be
Oh, the beauty that can only come
When God breathes life into our broken dreams
Lord, help us remember all the beauty that can only come
When You breathe life into our broken dreams
Video
Steven Curtis Chapman, Hillary Scott - Broken Dreams (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Broken Dreams," featuring Hillary Scott, arrives as a profoundly honest and redemptive piece within the context of his album *Still*, released in 2022. This song isn't a new revelation in subject matter, but rather a seasoned reflection on a universal human experience: the sting of life not unfolding as planned. It delves into the very real pain that accompanies shattered hopes, missed opportunities, and the unexpected detours that leave us feeling lost and disappointed. The story behind the song seems to be a culmination of Chapman's own journey through loss and change, a candid admission that even a life lived in faith is not immune to heartache and the experience of seeing cherished visions crumble. It speaks to anyone who has ever faced the stark reality that sometimes, the beautiful blueprints we draw for our lives are simply not the path God has laid out, or perhaps, they are paths interrupted by the brokenness of this world.
Analyzing "Broken Dreams" reveals its strength in vulnerability and its powerful pivot towards grace. The collaboration with Hillary Scott adds a complementary layer of emotional depth, their voices weaving together to express both the lament and the dawning hope. The song acknowledges the raw ache of disappointment without rushing to provide trite answers. It sits in the discomfort of realizing that some dreams, no matter how good or noble they seemed, are simply broken. But it doesn't end there. The brilliance lies in the turning point where the song points not to fixing the broken pieces ourselves, but to the One who specializes in redemption. This resonates deeply with the biblical truth found in Psalm 34:18, which assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. It echoes the message of Isaiah 61:1, where the Messiah is anointed to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives and opening of the prison to those who are bound.
The song's message aligns beautifully with the Gospel narrative itself, which finds hope not in the absence of suffering or brokenness, but in God's power to work through it. Romans 8:28 famously states that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This isn't a promise that broken dreams will be instantly glued back together exactly as they were, but that God can use even the shattering to create something new, perhaps something stronger and more beautiful than we could have imagined. It reminds us of 2 Corinthians 4:7, which speaks of carrying treasure in jars of clay, highlighting that God's power is made evident precisely in our weakness and fragility. "Broken Dreams" encourages us to release our grip on what we thought should be and to trust that God's plans, while often mysterious and unfolding through unexpected trials, are ultimately for our welfare and future, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11. It’s an invitation to view our disappointments not as final endings, but as part of a larger, redemptive story God is writing, a story where hope is found not in the perfection of our plans, but in the perfect faithfulness of our God, who remains steadfast even when our world feels shattered (Lamentations 3:22-23). This song is a comforting assurance that our brokenness is not a barrier to God's love or purpose, but often the very place where His grace shines brightest.