Above the Golden State is a west coast surf rock band originating from Portland, Oregon. ATGS is the moniker for the artist Michael Hughes Watson. The music is far from your typical rock-pop, exercising the innovation one would expect from an independent, “Keep Portland weird”, stick it to the man/disenfranchised North West culture. With only 2,456 monthly listeners, three singles, and two albums (their last one Nations being released in 2018) it has me wondering why they do not have more listeners.
“Never Before” is the eighth song on his album Nations. This song reminds its listeners not to fear the unexpected, because God is near. He knows our future, our present, and our past. God gives us a sense of joy and peace letting us know that he knows what lies in front of us, even before we do. That in itself should give us hope.
“Never Before” – Above the Golden State
Oh my soul, come meet your end
Be caught up in his arms
Like embers in the wind
Oh my joy, sink deeper in
Give sound to my response
Carried in a song
And I won’t fear
‘Cause you are near
I finally feel
When I lower my eyes and kneel
I’m alive like never before
And I feel my worries no more
In my heart, in my soul
Your spirit draws me close to you
My life like never before
Oh my love, this perfect love
It strengthens me to face
The fears that hold my faith
And slow my death
Come be my rest
How sweet the cold room breeze
Wakes up in a dreams
Then I won’t fear
‘Cause you are here
I finally see
When I close my eyes to sleep
I’m alive like never before
And I feel my worries no more
In my heart and in my soul
Your spirit draws me close to you, oh lord
I’m alive like never before
I won’t fear
‘Cause you are here
Now I finally see
When I close my eyes to sleep
I’m alive like never before
And I feel my worries no more
In my heart and in my soul
Your spirit draws me close to you, oh lord
I’m alive like never before
And I feel my worries no more
In my heart and in my soul
Your spirit draws me close to you, oh lord
I’m alive like never before
DIVING DEEP
This song works to show that we are alive in the Lord, God Almighty. Even in our weakest moments, we are alive in him. There is no need for us to worry about the things that we have no control over. All that does is add to our daily stress and burdens. We should be giving our worries, fears, and burdens to Jesus Christ.
Above the Golden State does an interesting job of exploring the patience and mercy of God, showing listeners that our worries disappear in his presence, “And I feel my worries no more
In my heart and in my soul.” We live in an uncertain word. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. The stresses and hardships from life get to us all at one point or another. “Oh, my love, this perfect love. It strengthens me to face the fears that hold my faith” if God is with us and for us, then why do we worry?
This song serves as a reminder that worrying, will not fix life. But when we let out a deep breath, breathe and let God take control, then we are allowing him to be in charge of our life. In charge of our worries, fears, doubts, insecurities, and everything in between. God will keep us safe and then we will feel alive “like never before”
How has God’s patience and mercy made an impact in your life?