This song is about God’s love for the people he created.
The lyrics to “Reckless Love” are fairly clear-cut, but there’s still more going on beneath the surface than you might realize. What Cory Asbury is saying with these lyrics is rather astounding and sets itself apart from other devotional hit songs.
The first verse is all about how God the Creator endowed us with life. Cory said in a YouTube video on these lyrics, “His love leaves the ninety-nine to find the one every time. And to many practical adults, that’s a foolish concept. But what if he loses the ninety-nine in finding the one, right? What if finding that one lost sheep is and will always be supremely important? His love isn’t cautious. It’s a love that sent his own son to die a gruesome death on a cross. There’s no plan B. With the love of God, he gives his heart so completely, so preposterously, that if refused, we would think it irreparably broken. Yet he gives himself away again and again and again and again, time and time again.”
In the second verse, Asbury goes into the redemption that God offers us. Cory talks about how this is given to us even though we acted against God. We rebelled, were sinful and did wrong, but because of the simple and beautiful fact that God is good and kind, He still loves us.
It’s a simple sentiment that has been crafted and wordsmithed in such a way that it can speak to the listener on the deepest possible level.
The song’s voice is in the third person, which may help to create a more universally relatable experience. Instead of viewing everything through one individual’s eyes, the lyrics seem to be spoken through a somewhat more omniscient presence.
In the bridge, God’s love is emphasized even further through the use of one of the two words in the title: reckless. While recklessness often brings negative implications to people’s minds, when Asbury applies it to the Almighty, it takes on a new meaning. Because of the reckless nature of God’s love, He is willing to do anything for us.
Asbury can be heard saying in a YouTube video, “So when I use the phrase the reckless love of God, when we say it, we’re not saying that God himself is reckless. He’s not crazy. We are, however, saying that the way he loves is, in many regards, quite so.”
He goes on, “What I mean is this he’s utterly unconcerned with the consequences of his actions with regard to his own safety, comfort and well-being. His love isn’t crafty or slick. It’s not cunning or shrewd. In fact, all things considered, it’s quite childlike and, might I even suggest, sometimes downright ridiculous.”
“His love bankrupted heaven for you. For me. His love doesn’t consider himself first. It isn’t selfish or self-serving. He doesn’t wonder what he’ll gain or lose by putting himself on the line. He simply puts himself out there on the off chance that you and I might look back at Him and give Him that love in return.”
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
[Chorus]
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
[Verse 2]
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
[Chorus]
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
[Bridge]
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
[Chorus]
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
Listeners of music from the 2010’s, might also appreciate the song Wake Me Up by Avicii
