Meaning of "What If I Gave Everything" by Casting Crowns

The lyrics of "What If I Gave Everything" by Casting Crowns convey a struggle between the desire to be brave, make a difference, and live a life of faith, and the fear of the potential consequences and sacrifices that come with it. The narrator longs to be a hero, symbolizing their desire to leave a lasting impact and be someone worth writing about. This highlights a common human desire for significance, recognition, and purpose.

However, despite this longing, the narrator finds themselves hesitating and holding back from fully embracing their calling. They hear God's call to step out into deeper waters, symbolizing a willingness to fully trust Him and take risks. But they settle for the shallow end, representing a fear of the unknown, failure, and the potential cost of following God's calling.

The lyrics express the internal struggle of wanting to live a life of faith and walk by faith, but being hindered by fear and a reluctance to let go of control. The narrator admits to being afraid of what it might cost to follow God and expresses a desire to walk by faith if they could just overcome their fear and doubts. They don't want to look back on a life that never took the leap of faith and never crossed the line of comfort.

The lyrics also portray a sense of dissatisfaction and weariness with their current state of standing still. They are tired of holding back and playing it safe. The repetition of the question, "Why am I still standing here?" suggests a frustration with their own hesitations and a yearning for something more.

The chorus reflects a turning point in the narrator's mindset. They consider the possibility of giving everything to God and stepping out onto deeper waters. This signifies a willingness to surrender control, to let go of fears and doubts, and to fully trust God's guidance and provision. The narrator desires to see mountains move, symbolizing the desire to witness extraordinary things happening through their faith and obedience.

Overall, the lyrics of "What If I Gave Everything" revolve around the themes of faith, fear, and stepping out of comfort zones. They encourage the listener to examine their own hesitations and fears, and to consider the possibility of fully embracing God's call and trusting Him to move mountains in their lives.