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"Everything I Own" by Avery Stafford: Freedom Through the Nail-Printed Hand


Avery Stafford - Everything I Own (Radio Edit)

"Everything I Own (Radio Edit)" by Avery Stafford is a moving story that captures the essence of Christ's sacrificial love, a love where He literally gave everything for you and me. A song that was originally written in 1999 but only now released as a radio single. This Gospel/R&B track tells a powerful story of redemption through the lens of a slave auction. This musical allegory starts with the words, "Standing on an auction block, waiting for buyers to bid on the value of life." The question asked, "Can this be happening to me?" And then Jesus steps in with a final bid. This is where Avery zooms in on His willingness to pay the price, "I will give everything I own. Isn't your life worth dying for?"

That is the heart of the Gospel: Jesus willingly paid the ultimate price for us, and by doing so, He freed us with His nail-printed hands. Avery's vocals, together with this imagery of being bought out of bondage and his emphasis on the fact that each of our lives is worth dying for, really grabbed me. My summary of the song's message isn't a worthy alternative for listening to the song. I can tell you that when the songs ended with the words, "Can't you see Jesus gave His life for me?" it left me to think about what this means to me, and my thoughts quickly led me to feelings of gratitude and awe.

Avery's storytelling gifts really shine here, and I can imagine listening to Avery speak, since he is also the lead pastor for Common Ground Church in Oregon. This is such a powerful message for this coming Easter season. If you've ever doubted what your worth is, then I pray this song will remind you how much Jesus values you. Go ahead and give it a listen. It's definitely a must-listen on my playlist this week.

(Related scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19; Galatians 3:13; John 10:17-18)

Connect with Avery Stafford

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PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

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