Render & Resist

As we walk out our lives, we grieve, and we are wounded. Some of us more than others. In the middle of the pain and the hardship, we often forget to return to Him — not because we don’t love Him, but because suffering has a way of swallowing our breath.

Well‑meaning people will tell you that you’re sinking because you’ve taken your eyes off Jesus, as if the whole story is Peter on the waves. But that’s the wrong metaphor. Paul kept his eyes on Jesus and still lamented the thorn in his side. Faith doesn’t erase the ache. It teaches us how to carry it.

I wrote this song while walking through my son’s prodigal journey. It’s real. It’s raw. You may dislike it. But our walk with God is lived in the mud and the dirt — and when we pretend it isn’t, we fail our own spirit and we fail His witness.

This is the sound of a father’s heart breaking, and a Father’s heart breaking with him.

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Here is an AI demo of the song and the lyrics are below.

Called You Back as Son

Verse 1

watching, helpless, the pain beneath the pain I see you running, breaking, trying to hold the wind

chasing voices that tickle at your ears and tear at my tired heart

I’ve been ready my son to kick down every door, to flip the tables like a jealous king, to chase the night and call you back to me.

But here I am— waiting…

I held you once, now I’m letting go, flesh tearing from my flesh, love learning how to bleed

Breaking…

Chorus

I saw you far away, and mercy made me run. Before you said a single word, I called you back as son.

Verse 2

I’m standing here ready to break your chains, to scatter darkness, to take the night and call you back to me.

But here I wait— watching…

I formed you once, and I won’t let go, though love must let you choose.

Breaking… yet never turning away.

Bridge

Every scar you carry, I’ve already worn Every mile you wandered, I walked before Still I stand at the gate, arms open wide My heart keeps breaking, but love won’t hide.

Final Chorus

I saw you far away, and mercy made me run. Before you said a single word, I called you back as son.

Outro

Watching, helpless, yet never alone— love waits forever to bring you home.

I called you back as son.