A Symphony of Becoming

Verse 1

They measured me by mountains
I could scarcely see above,
Counted every road I hadn't walked
And called it lack of love.
But there were nights I kept on breathing
When breathing took my all;
No one heard the quiet courage
Of a heart that would not fall.

Verse 2

Fear still sat upon my shoulder
When I lifted up my hand;
Trembling, I took one small step forward
Not that the fear was gone.
I felt the floor was there beneath me
And the next step was mine;
Courage isn't never trembling,
Moving, though I'm still afraid.

Pre-Chorus

Then someone knelt beside me
And did not call me slow;
Every stumble was a lesson,
Never proof I couldn't grow.

Chorus

It's safe to move, it's safe to try,
To miss, and learn, and rise again;
The ground beneath me holds me now,
And I can breathe, and I can bend.
Courage took one trembling step,
Love stood near and did not flinch;
Now I stand with open hands,
Ready to move, ready to begin.

Verse 3

I learned the shape of danger,
And how to keep myself from harm;
I learned that asking help is wisdom,
That rest is not retreat;
Step by step the stiffness softened,
Breath by breath the dread grew small,
Till the one who once stood frozen
Found the grace to meet it all.

Pre-Chorus

Then someone knelt beside me
And did not call me slow;
Every stumble was a lesson,
Never proof I couldn't grow.

Chorus

It's safe to move, it's safe to try,
To miss, and learn, and rise again;
The ground beneath me holds me now,
And I can breathe, and I can bend.
Courage took one trembling step,
Love stood near and did not flinch;
Now I stand with open hands,
Ready to move, ready to begin.

Bridge

If I stumble, let me stumble
In a room where I am safe;
Let the trying be forgiven,
Let the learning take its hour;
Let the heart that learned to tremble
Learn to move with steady grace.

Final Chorus

It's safe to move, it's safe to try,
To miss, and learn, and rise again;
The ground beneath me holds me now,
And I can breathe, and I can bend.
Courage took one trembling step,
Love stood near and did not flinch;
Now I stand with open hands,
Ready to move, ready to begin.

Outro

Fear may call, and I will answer,
Steady now on solid ground;
Poised and ready, calm, unhurried —
I can. I can.

Verse 1

Not all who are alone are lonely,
Not all who wander are lost;
Those not alone may feel lonely,
All may be tempest tossed.
Whatever plight may befall you,
The pathway we each must trod,
The wanderers, loners and lonelies,
Each may walk safely with God.

Verse 2

He knows the soul deep inside us,
The private burdens that each of us bear;
He sent his Son, Jesus, to relentlessly find us,
And lift us above despair.
The marks in his hands bear witness
That he understands our pain,
And his grace is sufficient to heal us
And guide us back home again.

Chorus

Wherever you are, come out, come out,
Come out of the shadows and into the light;
Wherever you are, come out, come out,
You are known, you are wanted, you belong.
Come with your sorrow, come with your doubt,
Come lost, come weary, come wandering;
Our joys will be full when we're gathered together -
Wherever you are, come home.

Verse 3

Those torn and broken asunder,
The sold, the abused, the abhorred -
He purchased our griefs, our shames, and our pains,
They all belong to the Lord.
Once we come to know him,
We find our soul's greatest friend,
Who patiently walks beside us,
His mighty hands to lend.
His gentleness is beyond measure,
His kindness knows no bounds,
He finds lost sheep and heals wounds deep,
With mercy surpassing profound.

Bridge

Will not we now come and invite him
To lift us above all our woes?
Our sorrows, our loneness he understands,
Our burdens he perfectly knows.
Will not we now open and receive him,
And invite him to fill up our cups,
That our joys may be full together,
To strengthen and raise us up.

Verse 4

So many things he can teach us,
So much from him we can learn,
Such blessings he will give us,
In his light we can discern.
For all the things that we suffer,
It's not easy to count up the cost,
But if we give him all of our troubles,
In the end nothing good will be lost.

Final Chorus

Wherever you are, come out, come out,
Come out of the shadows and into the light;
Wherever you are, come out, come out,
You are known, you are wanted, you belong.
Come with your sorrow, come with your doubt,
Come lost, come weary, come wandering;
Our joys will be full when we're gathered together -
Wherever you are, come home.

Outro

My dear friend...
I wish you all of the blessings
That his good grace can give,
A fullness of love and abundance
To safely and joyfully live.
(whispered) Wherever you are... come out, come out.
---

Intro

(Where am I?)

Verse 1

I clenched my fists and held my ground,
I swore that I would never yield;
I fought the way that things had been
And called my anger strength, my shield.
I blamed the past I couldn't change,
I dreaded all that was to come,
And lived in every place but here —
A wheel on ice that spun and spun.

Pre-Chorus

But nothing that I fought would move,
And nothing that I held would stay;
I could not reach what wasn't here,
And I ran out of every way.
Where am I? Where am I?

Verse 2

(Where am I?)
I defied the heavens, begged and swore,
I broke the things I couldn't bend;
And on the floor of my own strength
I found a peace where fighting ends.
I could not fix what I had done,
I could not make the others see;
I whispered, "I am powerless,"
And willingness began to give me purpose.

Chorus

Here am I. Here am I.
Here am I — I will.
Not in the yesterday, not in the fear,
Here, where the power is, here and now.
Here am I. I will. I will.

Verse 3

A young girl heard an angel speak
And did not understand it all;
She bowed her head: "Be it unto me
According to Thy word."
A son was sent to fetch the plates
With no idea of how;
He answered, "I will go and do,"
And faith began right then — right now.

Verse 4

Martha was troubled, hurried, worn,
With many things that clamored loud;
While Mary sat down at His feet,
The one thing needful, first of all.
Seek first, He said, and all the rest
Will come in order, line on line.

Pre-Chorus 2

They could not see the road ahead,
They only knew the hour was here;
The yes came first, the way came after,
And the path grew clear.

Chorus

Here am I. Here am I.
Here am I — I will.
Not in the yesterday, not in the fear,
Here, where the power is, here and now.
A thousand roads will miss the mark,
Only one way works:
To bring my will to Yours, and say —
Here am I. I will. I will.

Verse 5

In bondage, Alma's people prayed,
And God did not take off the load;
They bowed in patience to His will,
And cheerfully they walked the road.
The burdens on their backs grew light,
Not lifted — lightened by His strength.

Verse 6

The storm was howling on the sea,
The boat was filling, fear ran high;
He slept, and when they woke Him, said,
"Peace, be still" — and calmed the sky.
"My peace I leave with you," He said,
"Not as the world gives, but within."

Verse 7

"I seek not mine own will," He said,
"But the will of Him who sent me."
Aligned with God, the power moved,
The only way that ever works.
I lay my will down, and I find
The power I never could have made.

Bridge

A man climbed up a tree to see,
"Come down," He said, "I'll stay with you."
A voice called Moses from the flame,
And Moses answered, "Here am I."
A boy named Samuel heard his name,
And Samuel said, "Here am I."
In a garden, on His knees, in blood,
"Not my will, but Thine," He said.
And long before the world was made,
The Father asked, "Whom shall I send?"
And one Voice rose above them all:
"Here am I. Send me."

Final Chorus

Here am I. Here am I.
Here am I — I will.
Not in the yesterday, not in the fear,
Here, where the peace is, here and now.
All the roads that miss are behind me now,
Only one way works:
My will in Yours, and peace in me —
Here am I. Here am I.
Here am I — I will.
Here am I. I will. I will.

Outro

Here am I.
Here am I. (softly underneath: Where am I?)
I will.

Verse 1

They told me to be gentle,
To quiet every cry,
But never asked what wounded me,
Or what had passed me by.
They saw the storm upon my face,
But never sought the rain,
And judged the trembling of my voice
Without discerning pain.

Chorus

To end the unequal standard,
Let truth be free to speak.
Let justice hear the wounded heart,
Not only judge the weak.
Let every soul be answerable,
Let every voice be heard.
Let mercy walk beside the truth,
And love fulfill its word.

Verse 2

They counseled me to pardon,
And pardon them I do.
But pardon cannot mend the breach
If no one seeks what's true.
For peace is more than silence,
And grace is more than smiles.
A home is where we're cherished,
Not merely kept awhile.

Chorus

To end the unequal standard,
Let truth be free to speak.
Let justice hear the wounded heart,
Not only judge the weak.
Let every soul be answerable,
Let every voice be heard.
Let mercy walk beside the truth,
And love fulfill its word.

Bridge

I do not ask for innocence
Where I have done what's wrong.
I only ask that all the truth
Be given room to belong.
For those who wound must answer,
And those who hurt must grow.
But none must bear another's guilt
To make forgiveness show.

Final Verse

Perhaps we'll build a sanctuary
Where no one stands above,
Where correction comes with meekness,
And authority with love.
Where hearts remain still teachable,
And no one's cast aside,
Where grace restores the broken bonds
That judgment once denied.

Final Chorus

To end the unequal standard,
Let every heart be tried
By the same truth and charity,
With no one justified
By power, place, or reputation,
Nor condemned for wounded cries.
When love and truth embrace us all,
A better world can rise.

Final Tag

To end the unequal standard—
Let Zion live within our lives.

Verse

I wore my titles like a suit of steel,
And took the praise I never earned as real.
My pride was loud, my ignorance was deep,
A blind man guarding what he could not keep.

Verse

They called me liar when my words were true,
They called me fake; I half believed it too.
Disrespect was the match, and rage the flame,
We warred to prove whose word would bear the name.
They sent me out, a stranger, cast away,
No place to rest, no door that let me stay.

Pre-Chorus

I did not know the words, I was alone,
I only whispered, "End this. Bring me home."

Chorus

Take me home, take me home,
Where my name was always known.
Not the fire, not the fear,
Not the war I carried here -
Take me home to who I've always been.

Verse

My spirit was a building burned to ground,
I did not long to die, I could not live.
I whispered, "End this," and no help was found,
But Heaven heard the prayer I could not give.

Verse

My brother called, and I walked through the door,
To honest, raging souls, and more:
Where flame was all it cost to come inside,
The doorstep of my home, and open wide.

Chorus

Take me home, take me home,
Where my name was always known.
Not the fire, not the fear,
Not the war I carried here -
Take me home to who I've always been.

Verse

A war began before the world was made,
We chose the plan of freedom; he betrayed.
He wanted glory, grasping for a throne,
A great impostor, wretched and alone.
He wants us miserable as he;
No truth is in him; truth would set us free.
He'd have me doubt the name that I bear,
For souls without a name are in his snare.

Verse

He came to me: "Son of man, now kneel."
I knew my Father's voice, and it was real.
"Where is your glory, that I should bow?"
He raged, no glory could he show.
I said, "Depart!" My rage became a "No,"
A holy fire that made my courage grow.
I'm a sovereign child of God, and free,
No one will take my name again from me.

Verse

These names I wore were rented rooms, not mine,
Just addresses along the road's long line.
A caterpillar crawls, but he will fly,
His true name, written in him, Butterfly.
I own the problem; it does not own me,
My name is who I'm destined, free, to be.
I learned to love the truth above my pride,
For Jesus loves the truth, He is my guide.

Verse

He looked at me with honor, not with scorn,
And mended me where I was worn and torn.
His reverence was water on my flame,
My fists unclenched; the calm of heaven came.
They dug beneath the ashes, poured new stone,
Raised a temple where the ruin had grown.
To call myself a nothing was my pride;
To kneel in reverence, and not to hide.

Bridge

He said my name, as Mary heard it said,
And I knew Him, and all my fear was shed.
"No guile in him," He said, "this one is true,"
And called me by the name I always knew.
"I see you, I know you, and you're still mine,
I have a work for you to do in time."
The chains I forged fell open when I knelt,
And rose up free from all the weight I felt.

Verse

The rights I hold to reign are held in trust,
To use with love, and humbly, as I must.
The liar climbs by pushing others down;
The Savior kneels and wears a servant's crown.
I'll keep the law, not be a law alone,
And honor each right that others own.
I'll never use my place to make you small,
I'll answer to my God for one and all.

Verse

I lean on Him, for I can be misled;
He sees through guile, and sees the heart instead.
He keeps the gate, and sends no servant there,
Himself He weighs my heart, and judges fair.

Verse

I chose the honest and the upright way,
I spoke no guile, and meant just what I'd say.
Glory is earned, and God is glad to give
To those who love the truth, and truly live.
"Well done," He said, "my good and faithful one,
Come, enter now the joy that you have won."

Verse

While yet a great way off, my Father ran,
He fell upon my neck, as fathers can.
"Bring forth the robe, the ring, the shoes, the feast!"
"Was lost and found, was dead, and joy increased!"

Verse

I'm the dog who hears his master's tread,
A child on Christmas, running out of bed!
The voice of my beloved! Hear Him come,
Leaping o'er the mountains, skipping home!

Final Chorus

You took me home, you took me home,
Where my name was always known.
Not the fire, not the fear,
Not the war I carried here -
I'm home at last, I'm who I've always been!

Choir

Come home, come home, wherever you are,
No matter where you've wandered, near or far.
Your rightful place, your dignity restored,
Is waiting, held for you, by Christ the Lord.
What I say to one, I say to all.
Welcome home.

Outro

And when my work is done, I'll pray it still:
Take me home, and gladly, if You will.

Voices (enraged, furious, male lead, crowd)

You can't know! Nobody can know!
(Nobody's there, nobody's there!)
It's just a feeling. Let it go!
(Tell him again! He's a fool, he's a fool!)
You're fooling yourself! You're blind! You're wrong!
(Wrong, wrong, wrong, all along!)
You've hoped too long. You've prayed too long!
(Give up, give up, it's all pretend!)

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

Hold to the rod, the mist will part.
(I can, I can.)
You can. I'm with you. Take heart.
(I hold on.)

Verse

The mists rolled in, I shook with fear,
But faith can take one step from here.
I held the rod, I held it tight,
And one small "I can" lit the night.

Voices (enraged, jeering, male lead, crowd, from the great and spacious building)

From windows high they point and sneer,
(Ha ha ha! Look at him!)
"You don't belong! You can't stay here!"
(Out, out, out!)

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

Don't mind the crowd, they cannot see.
(I belong.)
Come taste the fruit. Sit down by me.
(I come and see.)

Verse

Then someone sat down by my side,
No teams, no scorn, no need to hide.
"You're no more strangers," heaven said,
And I could breathe, and lift my head.

Chorus

Now I know, now I know,
(I know, I know)
The Holy One has told me so.
(He told me so)
His witness is perfect, pure and true,
It burns like fire and falls like dew.
(Like dew from heaven)
Now I know, now I know,
I know, and I know that I know.
(I know that I know)

Voices (enraged, shouting, clashing, male lead, crowd)

It's all your fault! It's all their blame!
(Blame him! Blame them! Blame the world!)
You're powerless, it's all the same!
(Weak, weak, weak!)

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

You're never trapped, you have a choice.
(I choose, I choose.)
Be still a while, and hear my voice.
(I'm free, I'm free.)

Verse

Then "Peace, be still," I heard Him say,
And all the storms just fell away.
My heart and hands agreed at last,
The noise grew small. The beat held fast.

Voices (enraged, sneering, male lead, crowd)

You're not worth the grace you ask!
(We know what you did!)
Wear your shame and wear your mask!
(Shame, shame, shame!)

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

You're worth the grace you've come to ask.
(I am worthy.)
Lay down your shame, lay down your mask.
(I am loved. I am forgiven.)

Verse

But One who knew me heard my plea,
He didn't judge, He set me free.
Hate blinds the eyes; love lets them see,
And mercy washed the dark from me.

Chorus

Now I know, now I know,
(I know, I know)
The Holy One has told me so.
(He told me so)
His witness is perfect, pure and true,
It burns like fire and falls like dew.
(Like dew from heaven)
Now I know, now I know,
I know, and I know that I know.
(I know that I know)

Voices (enraged, hissing, fiery darts, male lead, crowd)

Liar! Fraud! Who do you think you are?
(Fraud, fraud, fraud!)
You'll never know! You'll never go far!
(Nobody believes you!)

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

Ask in faith, with real intent.
(I ask. I ask.)
My word to you is heaven-sent.
(I know.)

Verse

Then One who cannot lie spoke true,
"I know your name, and I know you."
He lifted me with reverent grace,
And every lie fell from my face.

Bridge

A lens grows dim if it's left alone,
Dust finds the glass, and the sight is gone.
But what we use, we train and keep;
Senses exercised run clear and deep.
Many can witness what they've seen,
But eyes can err, and hearts can lean.
Only the Holy One is pure,
(Holy, holy)
His witness perfect, firm, and sure.
(Holy, holy)

Voices (enraged, bitter, male lead, crowd)

Shut your eyes and shut your ear!
(Trust no one, trust no one...)
There's nothing good, there's nothing here!
(Close your eyes...)

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

Open your eyes and open your ear.
(I see. I hear.)
Test everything. The good is here.
(I test. I know.)

Verse

Then stillness came, and I could hear
A voice of mildness, soft and clear.
I felt its warmth, I saw its glow,
I tasted truth, and now I know:
The dark is real, but it won't stay,
The world looks kind, and clear as day.

Final Chorus (hushed, certain)

Now I know, now I know,
(I know, I know)
The Holy One has shown me so.
(He showed me so)
His witness is perfect, pure and true,
It burns like fire and falls like dew.
(Like dew from heaven)
Now I know, now I know,
I know, and I know that I know.
(I know that I know)

Choir

Pride bows low, and doubt departs,
Peace is written on our hearts.
The more I know, the more I'm shown,
The more I'm taught, I'm not alone.

The Witness (angelic, soprano lead, choir)

I'm with you always. Hold the rod.
(I am known.)
Keep listening, child. You're known of God.
(I am known…)

Outro

Each dawn I'll listen, each night I'll pray,
And hold the rod of truth each day.
The Holy One has made it so.
Now I know. Now I know.

Voices (smug tenor, crowd)

I already know! I've heard it all!
(He knows, he knows, he needs no more!)
I have my reasons, and they're good.
(Good reasons, good reasons, don't let him change!)
Don't ask me to change my mind!
(Close the door, close the door!)
Who needs a teacher? Not me!
(Not me, not me, we're done!)

The Witness (angelic soprano, choir)

Come, let us reason together.
(Come and see, come and see.)
The door was never locked, just closed.
(Open up, open up.)
Lay down the weight of all you know,
(Set it down, set it down.)
And I will show you where to go.
(Come with me, come with me.)

Teacher (adult baritone, certain)

A little here, a little there,
Line upon line and prayer on prayer.
No one grows who knows it all;
The humble hear the Teacher's call.

Chorus (joyful mixed choir)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

Child (bright young voice, learning)

Teacher, I'm afraid. Can I even try?

Teacher (adult baritone, certain)

You can. One small step is how we start.

Child (bright young voice, learning)

But what if I fall?

Teacher (adult baritone, certain)

Then you rise, and you've learned to stand.

Voices (smug tenor, crowd)

You tried before. It's no use!
(It's no use, it's no use!)
Better to stay right where you are!
(Stay right there!)

The Witness (angelic soprano, choir)

You can. I'm with you. Take heart.
(I can, I can.)
One step, and then the next will come.
(I hold on.)

Child (bright young voice, learning)

Teacher, is there room for me?

Teacher (adult baritone, certain)

There's a place for you right here.

Child (bright young voice, learning)

But I've been cut off and alone.

Teacher (adult baritone, certain)

Come in. Sit down. Stay with me.

Chorus (joyful mixed choir)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

Child (bright young voice, learning)

Teacher, you've gone quiet. Are you lost?

Adult (baritone, the mind begins to open)

I'm lost, little one. Show me the way.

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Say it: Here am I. I will.

Adult (baritone, softening)

Here am I. I will.

The Witness (angelic soprano, choir)

Then rise, and I'll walk with you.
(I belong. I'm known of God.)

Voices (smug tenor, crowd)

I know what I know. I won't be told!
(Don't be told, don't be told!)
My mind's made up. I've proved it all!
(Proved it all, proved it all!)

Adult (baritone, the mind begins to open)

A reason that won't change its mind
Is only pride in disguise.
But reason that is free to find
Grows wiser as it tries.

Chorus (joyful mixed choir)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

The Witness (angelic soprano, choir)

Correction isn't shame, my child.
(It's love, it's love.)
It's a gentle hand that turns you home.
(Turn me, turn me.)

Adult (baritone, softening)

Then I'll thank the hand that turns me,
And learn the way back home.

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Listen now, and hear how far we've come,
Each song a line, each line a stair.
Seven voices, climbing as one,
And still there's more to learn up there.

Adult (baritone, learning)

How can I love the one who wronged me?

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Give the mercy you hope to receive.
(Every soul is worth the same.)

Adult (baritone, learning)

But it's so hard, and I'm so tired.

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Love makes room, and room grows love.

Adult (baritone, learning)

Child, who am I? Where's my home?

Child (bright young voice, leading)

You're a child of One who knows your name.

Adult (baritone, learning)

Then take me home.

The Witness (angelic soprano, choir)

Come home, come home. The way is clear.
(Take me home, take me home.)

Chorus (joyful mixed choir)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

Adult (baritone, learning)

How do I know what's really true?

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Ask in faith, and test, and wait.

The Witness (angelic soprano, choir)

Now you know, now you know.
(I know, I know.)

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Hold it fast, but hold it humbly.

Voices (tenor, humbled, soft)

I thought I knew. I thought I knew.
But every wall I built stood still.
Teach me. I'm tired of being right.
Teach me, and I will learn.

Chorus (joyful mixed choir, tenor joins)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

Choir (all voices, seven themes in counterpoint)

I can, I have, I am, I love,
(I can!)
(I have!)
(I am!)
(I love!)
I reign, I discern, I reason,
(I reign!)
(I discern!)
(I reason!)
Seven voices, singing as one,
Each one learning from the rest.

Final Chorus (full choir and orchestra, triumphant)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

Child (bright young voice, leading)

You'll never finish learning, friend,
And that is not a wound; it's grace.
Each answer opens a wider room
And makes more room for His face.

Adult (baritone, warm and childlike)

Will I ever know enough?

Child (bright young voice, leading)

Enough to love, not to stop.

Adult (baritone, warm and childlike)

Then teach me again tomorrow.

Child (bright young voice, leading)

And you teach me too.

Chorus (hushed, child and adult together)

Line upon line,
Here a little, there a little,
(Line by line)
Open my mind, open my heart,
Teach me, and I will learn.
(I will learn, I will learn)

Outro (child and adult together, hushed)

Keep my heart forever learning,
Till my love makes room for you.
Keep my heart forever learning,
Till my love makes room for you.
(Teach me again)