Deny Yourself and Follow Me.mp3

[Intro – Spoken over synth drone] “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me…” [Verse 1] I held my life like a guarded flame Every heartbeat whispering my name Built my towers into empty sky Afraid to lose, afraid to die But in the quiet, through the noise and glare A voice of thunder in a whispered prayer “Let go the life you’re trying to save Come, follow Me beyond the grave” [Pre-Chorus] All that I’m clinging to turns into sand Falling right through my own trembling hands I hear You calling me to give you control To lay it all down for the sake of my soul [Chorus] I will deny myself, I will lay it all down Every fading crown on the altar now What is the world if it costs my soul? Ashes and smoke when the ages roll If I lose my life, I will find it in You In the fire of love that is burning through Nothing I gain could be worth that loss So I follow You, I take up my cross [Verse 2] Contracts written on my restless skin Every promise of a hollow win I chased comfort, I chased praise and gold But none could heal what I could not hold You stand before me with a wounded side The scars of mercy that my fear can’t hide You say, “The life you’re trying to keep Is the very life that keeps you asleep” [Pre-Chorus] All of my kingdoms built out of dust Fall down around these desires I trust You open a road where my pride can’t go Where losing is gain and surrender is hope [Chorus] I will deny myself, I will lay it all down Every faded crown on the altar now What is the world if it costs my soul? Ashes and smoke when the ages roll If I lose my life, I will find it in You In the fire of love that is burning through Nothing I gain could be worth that loss So I follow You, I take up my cross [Bridge (Spoken/Chanted over a pulsing, building riff)] What could I trade for the weight of a soul? No loaded vault, no total control What could I pay for the breath of Your light? Nothing on earth could buy back one single life [Sung] Save my life, I lose it in fear Lose my life, Your kingdom draws near Hold to dust, I’m slipping away Let it go, I awaken today Save my life, it dies in my hands Lose my life, and finally I stand In Your wounds, in Your endless grace I find my soul in Your sacred place [Chorus – Final / Anthemic] I will deny myself, I will lay it all down Every exalted crown is dashed upon Your altar now What is the world if it costs my soul? A broken throne and a heart grown cold If I lose my life, I will find it in You In the nail-scarred hands that are making me new Nothing I gain could be worth that loss So I follow You, I take up my cross [Outro (Softly, repeating, over slowly fading synths)] I will deny myself… I will take up my cross… I will follow You… Whatever the cost…