"Father, break my heart for what breaks yours. Give me open hands and open doors. Put your light in my eyes and let me see, that my own little world is not about me."
About Matthew West
Matthew West — Life and Legacy
Matthew West is a prominent figure in contemporary Christian music, recognized for his ability to weave personal narratives into powerful songs. His work often reflects his own struggles and triumphs, making his music relatable to many. One of his notable contributions is the song 'Hello, My Name Is,' which addresses themes of identity and redemption, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves despite past mistakes. West's core philosophy revolves around the idea that everyone has a story worth telling. He famously stated, 'The story of your life is a story of hope,' which encapsulates his belief in the transformative power of faith and resilience. This perspective not only resonates through his lyrics but also challenges listeners to view their challenges as opportunities for growth and healing. His impact extends beyond music; West's messages of hope and encouragement have inspired countless individuals facing their own battles. By sharing his journey and the stories of others, he fosters a sense of community and connection, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Today, his quotes and songs continue to inspire, offering a beacon of hope in a world often filled with uncertainty.
Quote collection
Matthew West quotes (page 1 of 2)
33 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. Together we're a body. A family. The people of God."
"Show me how to love the unlovable Show me how to reach the unreachable Help me now to do the impossible...Fo rgiveness"
"Happy Day After Christmas, Merry Rest of the Year, even when Christmas is over, The Light of the World is Still Here!"
"The thing is, dressing up, going to church, dropping a twenty in the offering plate, those things are all well and good, but that doesn't make you a Christian."
"I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be. I give up. I'm not stong enough. Hands of mercy won't you cover me? Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough. Strong enough for the both of us."
"I don't wanna go throught the motions I don't wanna go one more day Without your all-consuming Passion inside of me I don't wanna spend my whole life asking What if I had given everything? Instead of going through the motions."
"To be called a child of God - there is no greater distinction. I love the final sentence of that Scripture with that emphatic exclamation mark. What a powerful assurance. Right here, right now, in this very moment, no matter how good or bad you feel about yourself, you're a beloved child of God. Throughout Scripture, God is conveying this message. He made you, he loves you, he pursues you, he's not done with you, and he's called you his child."
"I’m sick and tired of life with no desire. I don’t want a flame, I want a fire."
"I couldn't catch a ball if it had Elmer's Glue all over it. And my father had to be this ex-football star. He didn't know what to tell his friends, so he told them all I had Polio. On Father's Day, I used to limp for him."
"Give me open hands and open doors."
"We've got social media now where we can even create an identity for ourselves and show the world an inauthentic highlight reel version of who we are. But I'm drawn to real, not a highlight reel. The world doesn't need to see another plastic Christian pretending they've got it all together."
"Christianity has always been against the flow of culture and continues to call us in the opposite direction of the way the world is heading. Instead of falling in love with ourselves, Christ followers are called to deny themselves. Instead of trusting in the power they possess, they are called to surrender to God's higher power. Instead of looking within for the answers in life, they are called to acknowledge that His ways are higher. The decision to follow Christ has always been an "all or nothing" decision. There's no way to stand up to the world while you're trying to straddle the fence."
"There's no substitute for the power of a personal story. The true stories of God redeeming a broken life shoot like arrows straight to our hearts and remind us that God wants to do the same life changing work in our lives. I love how one story can impact another story, causing a ripple effect of change if we let it."
"I have a friend who lives in Los Angeles. In past conversations, we've discussed the differences between being a Christian in Nashville and being a Christian in L.A. In Nashville the question is not, "are you a believer?" The question is "where do you go to church?" My friend always used to tell me that if you decide to be a Christian in L.A., you have to be really serious about the decision you are making because you will be the minority. And Christianity is so exclusive. It's not popular to believe that there's only one way to Heaven."
"I love David's prayer, "Search me, God, and know my heart..." [Psalm 139:23]. I prayed that a lot. "God, search my heart and my life, reveal to me any areas of my life that you want me to see, any identities you want to show me, and help me dare to believe that your grace has erased them once and for all.""
"Today, Musana is a thriving orphanage in Iganga, Uganda, housing over one hundred children! When asked what it was that made her fight for these children she simply said, “I just kept thinking, ‘If I don’t do something, who will?' Today, so many of us Christians talk so much about being the hands and feet of Christ, but never really displaying what that looks like. It’s not about talking. It’s about doing! It’s time for us to do something!"
"I told myself that if I hoped to write a book that helped people to take a good look at some of the names that have been written on their nametags, I would need to do the same. I had to write Hello, My Name Is from a place of authenticity, even vulnerability, being willing to let God show me areas of my life that have been incorrectly shaped by false identities I've allowed to hang around for too long. I truly felt like, 'if this book is helping me, then it's going to help someone else.'"
"Go is such a refreshing language to program in, there is very little clutter just the stuff you need to get the job done"
"Anyone attempting to live a Christian lifestyle will always be pressed towards settling for "nominal Christianity." For the believer who lives in the Bible Belt, it can become less about whether one is living his or her life in complete and total sold-out devotion to God, and more about where I'm going to lunch after church. If I live in an area where Christians are in the minority, there is the pressure to take a more a la carte approach to one's belief system. It's safer to take some of God's teachings and apply the parts we like but push aside that which seems too extreme or exclusive."