“Live For You” was a very defining moment for Connersvine. Chris and I had been writing and playing together for a while and we were having fun. God was being glorified, ministry was happening to us and through us, and we were growing both individually and as friends. One day we were talking on the phone and I asked Chris if we could get together and write soon. It had been several days since we’d written together and I had some ideas I wanted us to explore. I told him that I felt we should write something intimate and worshipful that was full of passion and in the mid-tempo range.
The next night we met at our church, got out our laptops, and started the dialogue. However, there was very little dialogue this night. I asked him if he had any ideas. He said he did. I asked him to play them. He got out his guitar, and in typical Chris and Hunter fashion apologized and disclaimed what he was about to play completely. (just in case it was heinous) Then he opened his mouth and this came out:
I wanna live for You
I wanna die to me
I want to be emptied
I want to be freed
from all that holds me captive
all that brings me down
all that’s tried to lose me
now that I’ve been found
I wanna live for You.
After I dried my eyes and picked my jaw up off the floor I went into a rave session for about 10 minutes. There are very few moments where I’ve sensed the annointing of God so strongly on something. I made Chris play it over and over again just so I could hear it. He complied then said he had no more of the song written. So, we embarked on finishing this already incredible song in my opinion.
To be honest “Live For You” could have had “Ol’ MacDonald” as verses and “The HokeyPokey” for a bridge and would have still been a great song. Chris brought something to the table that night that was perfect apart from our culture and industry’s need for cookie cutter structure in a song. With this in mind I thought it would be fitting to write verses that were honest and simple. I remember wanting the verses to point to the chorus and really make it pop. The first verse is a vulnerable acknowledgement of God’s complete person and ability to cleanse us:
All that is within me
cries out to You my Lord,
my God, and King
For You alone can cleanse me
and set me free
The second verse is a picture I love. A picture of dependence and leaning set in the here and now. It is not an ideal to be attained. Rather, it is today’s need and longing for both the sustenance and intimacy of God:
Here in this hour
leaning on Your mercy
Your throne of grace
You are all I am after
The beauty of Your face
The bridge is my second favorite part of the song. As I’ve said before I believe a good bridge should sum up the overall message of the song AND iterate any final thoughts, emotions etc. This bridge is almost like a broken explosion of passion for God and a realization of who He is and who we are to Him. I love the melody also. It came from a little guitar part Chris had been working on:
All I am broken on the ground
In Your hands knowing You surround me Lord
Father now I know that I am Your’s
Every song is different. About 3 hours after Chris played the chorus for me the song was finished. There have been only a couple of minor modifications to it since that night. This song was and is the cry of Connersvine’s heart. We’ve played “Live For You” pretty much every time we’ve played or led worship since. The response to it has been overwhelming. Thankfully we had very little to do with it. God poured it out almost all at once and we just tried to be trustworthy with His idea. We carry this song with a deep fear of the Lord. This is a powerful message and we, by His grace, we will walk it out as we sing it.
Hunter
Connersvine
Hunter and Chris,
Thank you for all of the “behind-the-scene” glimpses of God just BREATHING on you two! I am amazed every day at how He works! We were created to praise Him, and your praise for the Lord is AWESOME! Songs like yours help us to get into true worship! Truly…your songs and lyrics are truly from God’s heartbeat.
-Doc Joyce from Evansville
I love this song,it’s a picture or us broken on the ground,which we should be when we come before the throne. Sometimes, it’s when we’re in this broken state of body and mind when we hear His voice so clearly,and feel His presence so powerfully,there’s no doubt you belong to Him.He is after all,our Father. Chris you are an anointed man! Hunter I’m so glad your willing to share with everyone how these songs came about You are a wonderful author!Is there anything at all that you just plain suck at?If so please share what it is!Chris probably knows something!
Oh wow… this is my first exposure to your music, and I just love it. A few of my favorite simple-yet-profound songs: Rich Mulling “Man of no reputation”, Michael Card “The Gentle Healer”, Mercy Me “Word of God Speak”. Definitely looking forward to your 5/2 concert. =)
Thanks for your comment Elizabeth. I believe that “Man Of No Reputation” by Rich Mullins is one of the greatest songs ever written.
What beautiful transparency. This is one of my favorite songs on the whole album. I find myself singing it at “strange” times throughout the day–like when I need a reminder of why I’m here! Thank you for allowing God to use you to bring this song to me (and the rest of the world).
Follow-up comment: I was so charmed and touched by this song that I went over your entire blog. The pic of Chris with the thought bubble of Hunter was HILARIOUS! So was Chris’s blog about who’s name means what. Heck, all the blogs were delightfully entertaining. Overall, I developed a deep appreciation for a few things: 1) the lyrics (I haven’t had a chance to listen to the songs much yet). The lyrics are disarming - they strip you from everything distracting, and it’s not about who sang/wrote it, who’s a NFL player, it’s all stripped away, and it’s just you before God. And instead of feeling like you wanna hide in shame from God’s holiness, there’s something in your soul that stirs and wants to love God intimately, no matter where you’ve been. 2) The explanation behind your lyrics. Like Ginny Owens’ testimony for “If you want me to” on the Night in Rockettown album changed her song from good to INCREDIBLE. 3) The care that goes into each song. The effort in avoiding cookie-cutter songs shows, keeping each song from disappearing into the sea of crap that’s out there. Oh, and in response to the old blog question, “Who’s your favorite band/musician?” my favorite is Keith Green. I was so sad when my friends said they loved Matt Redman’s song “Make my heart a prayer”, and thought he wrote it. Keith Green is awesome for so many reasons: he’s an incredible pianist (I’m pretty good and can play his songs up to par, but I can’t sing simultaneously - so complex!), versatile songwriter, GREAT storyteller, hilarious, passionate, and painfully honest. His songs were similar to how Jesus preached - charismaticly, lovingly, gently, and firmly. He did not compromise. He’s what I want to be - someone who uses all passion, energy, and talents for God, ’cause you’re so madly in love with God.
This song was my first introduction to Connersvine and after that I was hooked. My husband and I sat and just listened. The song is a simple song letting the Lord know I want to live for you…it’s just a beautiful prayer to the Lord. Thanks for the background on these songs…it’s great to see.
Thank you for the blessing of your song. I am getting ready to pull together the songs for our worship service for next Sunday and I believe the Lord brought your song to me today. I would so appreciate getting the chords.
This weekend a friend was telling me that he had a torn meniscus in his knee. The doctor wanted to cut off the torn part because there wasn’t enough blood flow for it to heal … what a picture of the truth … nothing heals without the blood of the Lamb.
God’s blessings …
Hey guys,
This song is the BOMB. I’m a Worship Leader at a church here in Santa Ana, CA. Can you guys send me the LEAD SHEET of this song “Live For You”??? I’ve been looking everwhere for it and have failed. Please let our church worship God with your very inspiring song.
I look forward to hearing from you guys and leading worship with your music.
Shalom
I know there are alot of people who have been inspired by this song, but I just wanted to share my experiences with you, and commenting on this blog seems like a golden opportunity.
The first time I heard this song, I was mesmerized by the power and the impact these lyrics had to my heart. It made me realize that there are so many other followers who want to live their all for our Savior, and that I’m not alone. It gives me so much hope to know we gain everything by loosing and dying to ourselves. There is nothing more peaceful and satisfying…to be freed from all that holds us captive…to live with vigor and true “life” only One can offer us. Let us keep living and trusting Jesus in all we do…thankyou for the blessing your song has been to me.
In His Light and Love,
Barbara
Love this song, it gives me goose bumps. And helps me sink into worship. Fantastic and brilliant. very gifted group , very much led by the spirit. Hope to see more work and deep worship songs. Praying for you guys always.
I ws introduced to this by Ruth my friend from Australia and I marvel at this. God is surely blessing you and pouring His love within you so that you can show us how God captivates us.
I need to get God’s vessel and instrument in this! Diane
I would very much like to get a copy of the music and lyrics of this song. Our worship team would love to bless our congregation. Thank you both for being God’s vessel and instrument in this!
What an awesome song. Definitely a prayer of my heart from the firs time I heard it…I want to live for you, I want to die to me, I want to be emptied….
I’ve been struggling with alcohol for about 9 months now. I’m a believer and have been for some time now but I’ve allowed a substance take a place in my heart instead of the Savior. Last night I gave it to God. I heard your song on the radio this morning and it brought me to tears. The lyrics are the cry of my heart. We are nothing without Him. I thank the Lord for this song.