Radiate Music
Release Date: February 12th 2021
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
John Waller – But God – Single (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- But God
John Waller has had his time in the spotlight. In some ways far more than an average CCM artist. Being touted way back in the day as following in the footsteps of Casting Crowns (who was the artist/band that discovered John and had a hand in the unveiling of John’s label debut, The Blessing), John has been since known for his chart-topping songs like ‘Crazy Faith’ (featured in the powerful movie War Room), ‘While I’m Waiting’ (from the Kirk Cameron movie Fireproof), ‘As For Me And My House’, ‘Still Calls Me Son’, and many, many more. And while John departed Reunion Records mid-way through his career, his message still stayed the same- Christ focused, as we’re reminded to live with abandon, putting into practice the faith we have as a result of what Christ has undertaken on our behalf. John’s passion for the church and delivering songs that can bring listeners hope and a closeness with God has been evident in his music- and together with songs like the ones aforementioned above, comes a heart John has for adoption and taking care of children who don’t have a home for themselves. John has been able to minister to others for years, and his most recent full-length studio album, Explosions of Light, that was released in 2019, was one of my favourite albums of that particular year, with standout songs consisting of tracks like ‘Awakening’, ‘Epic’, ‘Comeback’ and ‘When God Says No’. Now here we are in 2021, and John is at it again, this time, unveiling a song titled ‘But God’, his single from his yet-to-be-titled new album to be released sometime in 2021.
‘But God’ is inspired by the Scriptures of 1 Corinthians 1:27 (But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.), and is a song written for a time, space and place of now, where people can cling onto the hope that God still is working, even if and when we can’t see it. As John himself imparts to us about the song, we see that ‘…the story of ‘But God,’ is all of our stories in the past year. There is so many moments in Scripture where there was trouble, persecution and where things seemed hopeless. And then there is that ‘But God’ moment. The biggest one was God demonstrating His own love by sending his Son. I think this song is going to encourage a lot of people. I know when I listen to it and sing it, it brings hope, light, life. We may see darkness and chaos, but God sees new beginnings. I pray that this song will do that for you and for anyone who hears it…’ With practically radio silence between the release of Explosions of Light and now, John himself initially thought that he wasn’t going to make music ever again. And then he did- he had his ‘but God’ moment, where God knew that He wasn’t finished with John yet. ‘But God’ challenges us all to continue to place our trust in God, always being reminded that regardless of the situation, He is still working, even if it’s not in the ways that we perceive Him to work.
John Waller’s first song release in a couple of years is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year so far. Even though John started off as signed to a label, he is now currently one of my favourite indie artists, alongside others like Kerrie Roberts. With heartfelt lyrics and a vertical praise atmosphere to bring about congregational worship, John’s heart for worship, family, adoption, hope and Christ is all evident within not only this song, but throughout his whole career thus far. Well done John for such an inspired and stirring melody, one that’ll hopefully encourage us all to live a life knowing full well that God uses things, events and circumstances to His purposes, that everyone has a ‘but God’ moment, even during the times where we may least expect it.
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Casting Crowns, Matt Maher, Hannah Kerr, Building 429