'Brave' by Nichole Nordeman is a song about breaking free from the constraints of fear and the comfort of complacency to embrace a life of faith and courage. The lyrics describe the familiar, wide path of moderation and the middle ground that many people walk—a place where it's easy to blend in with the crowd and live without making waves or standing out.
Nordeman illustrates the tension between the security of the known and the pull towards taking risks for the sake of something greater. The song's persona admits to being quiet and reserved ('I am small and I speak when I am spoken to'), yet acknowledges a deep willingness to risk everything for the sake of faith ('Say your name, just your name, and I am ready to jump, even ready to fall').
The vow of compromise and the attempt to keep one's faith or beliefs inside are recognized as inadequate. There's an awakening described—a realization that the status quo is no longer satisfying or sufficient ('The way it always was, is no longer good enough').
The chorus is a bold declaration of change, attributed to God's love ('Your love') that empowers and inspires the courage to be 'brave'. This bravery is not just for personal growth but is a transformative experience that challenges previous conceptions of what is enough and prompts a desire for a more authentic and courageous life of faith.
The song speaks to anyone who has felt the pull to move beyond safety into a life of bold faith, living out one's beliefs openly and with conviction, even if that means standing alone. It's about the moment when love empowers one to cut the ties of fear and step into a life defined by courage and faith in God.
The gate is wide, the road is paved in moderation. The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in. Welcome to the middle ground. It's safe and sound, and until now, It's where I've been. Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings. So long status quo, I think I've just let go. You make me want to be brave (I want to be brave). The way it always was, is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave. Brave, brave. I am small and I speak when I am spoken to But I am willing to risk it all. Say your name, just your name. And I am ready to jump, Even ready to fall. Why did I take this vow of compromise? Why did I try to keep it all inside? So long status quo, I think I've just let go. You make me want to be brave (I want to be brave). The way it always was, is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave. I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame. And every storm will start with just a drop of rain, But if you believe in me, that changes everything. So long, I'm gone. So long status quo, I think I've just let go. You make me want to be brave (I want to be brave). The way it always was, is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave.
