(Intro — Church bells ringing far away. A staff tapping stone. A breath.) The gate's still open... Even for a man like me... That's what the Shepherd does... He leaves the ninety-nine... (beat drops — slow, heavy, holy) --- (Verse 1) There's dust on my boots and blood on my hands Not from the fight — from the worship I didn't understand I was holdin' too tight to things I can't keep Chasin' empty hallelujahs while my soul was asleep Every road I took led me somewhere cold But You were the warmth I was too proud to hold I've slept in bars and backseat cars Under neon moons and broken stars And every night I swore I'd change But morning came and I stayed the same Then I heard Your voice not in thunder or flame Just a whisper, just my name And I dropped to my knees by that old church gate Not 'cause I was worthy — 'cause I was tired of the weight --- (Pre-Chorus) Lord, I don't know how to do this right I don't know the hymns, I don't know the rites But I know You've been walking these same dirt roads Chasin' the same sheep that the world let go --- (Chorus) So I'll worship with the scars still on my hands I'll worship with the past I don't understand I'll worship when the shadow hangs off my soul I'll worship 'cause You're the only one who makes me whole I've made peace with losing sleep With the ghosts that tried to bury me And if redemption comes in waves Then let it crash on me today I'm not waiting by the church gate anymore I'm walking through it — that's what worship is for --- (Verse 2) Mama said, "Boy, don't live too fast" But fast was the only thing that ever lasted Daddy drank like the world was gone And I inherited the thirst but not the song Now the jukebox hums low and mean Playin' songs 'bout who I could've been But You don't care about the could've or should've You just care about the sinner who finally stood up I used to count my scars like lucky charms Now I count 'em as altars built in Your arms Every wound a place the light got in Every fall a chance to rise again I'm still searching, still reaching, still learning to trust But I'm not searching alone — I'm searching with us You and me, Shepherd and sheep The one who was lost, the one who now believes --- (Pre-Chorus) Lord, I don't know how to sing this right I don't know the verses, I don't know the lines But I know You've been walking through every valley Chasin' the same lost soul — and that soul is me --- (Chorus) So I'll worship with the scars still on my hands I'll worship with the past I don't understand I'll worship when the shadow hangs off my soul I'll worship 'cause You're the only one who makes me whole I've made peace with losing sleep With the ghosts that tried to bury me And if redemption comes in waves Then let it crash on me today I'm not waiting by the church gate anymore I'm walking through it — that's what worship is for --- (Bridge — Everything drops. Just an organ hum. A whisper. The most honest confession.) Maybe heaven ain't meant for perfect men Maybe grace grows slow... but it always wins Maybe worship ain't a song you sing on Sunday Maybe worship is the sinner who keeps coming I got lost somewhere between whiskey nights and whispered prayers But You found me in the dark and met me there You didn't flinch at the blood on my hands You just said, "Son, I'm the Lamb that understands" --- (Final Chorus — Full production. Choir swelling. Drums crashing like grace hitting the shore.) So I'll worship with the blood still on my soul I'll worship 'cause the Shepherd made me whole I'll worship when the shadow tries to pull me back I'll worship 'cause the cross already won that match I've made peace with who I've been 'Cause You've made peace with all my sin And if redemption took my place Then I'm not waiting by that gate I'm running through it — that's what worship is for I'm running to You — nothing less, nothing more --- (Outro — Church bells ringing, then fading. A staff tapping. A final, steady whisper.) The gate was always open... I just had to stop running... The Shepherd don't lose sheep... He just waits for 'em to come home... And I'm home now... That's worship... That's everything... (church bell tolls once) (staff taps) (silence)
