John Waller: "We are waiting in expectation that there is hope for us. There are marriages that are in trouble and everyday we are getting new testimonies about how this song is impacting lives."
John Waller and his wife Josee moved to Colorado and helped launch SouthLink Church, where he became worship pastor. It became an extraordinary season in Waller's life and ministry. And at a time when he had given up "the music business," he suddenly felt more inspired and began writing songs that were immediately embraced by his congregation.
"I was teaching my songs to our worship team and we were playing them in church. They were declaration kind of songs," John says of the new songs God was laying on his heart. "People wanted to go sit in their car and listen to them. They didn't want to wait a whole week before they could hear these songs again. I saw that happening and I said, 'If this could happen with these people then perhaps they are meant for a bigger flock.’"
"For years I struggled with depression," John relates. "It was all in my family. It was a generational thing that was passed down and I believed I would always struggle with it. As I started learning about who I was in Christ, this did not add up. If I believed that I was a depressed person, then I probably always would be a depressed person. If I believe that I'm a joyful person and I've declared it and realized that is who I am, then that's going to manifest itself in my physical body."
"While I’m Waiting" is a great and powerful song from The Blessing by John Waller and the song is featured in the film Fireproof. I had the great privilege to speak with John on behalf of Christian Music Review about his song "While I’m Waiting" and our entire interview can be heard on the Kingdom Builder podcast.
John has been blown away by the response to this song and the impact it has had on people's lives through the film Fireproof.
"Along with millions of others, I am truly amazed how God is using Fireproof to heal and strengthen marriages, and also to 'shame the wise' in Hollywood with mind boggling results at the box office. I am so humbled that "While I'm Waiting" was not only used in its entirety in the film, but is also making a huge impact on people's lives who resonate with its message of hope in the midst of a painful wait. We are waiting in expectation that there is hope for us. There are marriages that are in trouble and everyday we are getting new testimonies about how the song is impacting lives."
"The explanation for this song is simple, I was waiting on God and I was hurting when I wrote the lyrics. I probably wouldn’t have written a song if my friend, Mike, hadn’t encouraged me to document what I was going through during that time. I’m sure there are few people who can’t relate to this song, but the important thing to remember while we’re waiting on God is to not just wait but to actively wait. Serve, worship and be faithful with what you have, where you are, even while (you) wait."
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The song is based on the following bible passages:
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
The amazing part about how God is using John in his music ministry is that he seems to be living out the words of his great song "While I’m Waiting" by waiting 17 years to live his dream of being a Christian music recording artist. In the movie Fireproof, the song is played as Kirk Cameron’s character Caleb is devoting himself to walk closer with God and daily "waiting" for God and his wife Kat, while devoting to live out The Love Dare, written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who also wrote and directed the film.
The concept of The Love Dare is a 40 day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Unconditional love is eagerly promised at weddings, but rarely practiced in real life. As a result, romantic hopes are often replaced with disappointment in the home. Whether your marriage is healthy or hanging by a thread, the concept of finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage is worth the "wait".
You can watch and listen to the song as used in Fireproof by clicking here.
Posted March 02, 2009 | Kevin Davis is a long time fan of Christian music as well as, movies, TV shows and multiple PodCasts. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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