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"The Fisherman’s Offer" by David Bollmann: Laying It Down to Follow


(by Jasper Tan) Are we ready to take on the Fisherman's offer? That's the big question that David Bollmann asks in "The Fisherman's Offer."

David Bollmann - The Fisherman's OfferThe moment I hit the play button, the jangly guitars immediately caught my attention and captivated me. Being a huge fan of the CCM band Jars of Clay, I could immediately tell that David Bollmann's latest single is something pretty much sounded like it was influenced by such CCM bands from the late 90's to mid 2000's. It's just the kind of CCM that I am into.

David shares that "The Fisherman's Offer" is a reflective, cinematic indie praise song that was inspired by Jesus' simple but life-changing invitation: "Follow Me." The song draws from the book of John, chapter 15, and the calling of the disciples by the sea. The song explores the idea of being pursued by sacrificial love and responding by laying everything down.

"The Fisherman's Offer" opens with driving guitars and a catchy drum groove. Setting up a mood that would excite the listeners with how the music is arranged and delivered. The phrase "Follow Me" is echoed throughout the verses, before opening into a melodic, anthemic chorus meant to feel both personal and communal. This is where David starts to testify about how Jesus has caught his heart. Sharing his personal testimony of how he lets Jesus take control of his life. The lyrics that he wrote are rich with imagery of fishing, treasure, and surrender, striking a balance of bringing tension between ordinary life and the radical pull of heaven. Something which he brilliantly delivers in the bridge part of the song. Through the perfect blending of his music and the timed instruments to hit the right notes to build a crescendo that is in tune with the feelings built by these words: "Greater love has no one, Greater love has no one than this, That someone lay down, Oh, their life for their friends…"

At its core, it's a song about being caught by God's love and choosing to follow it for the rest of your days. This song showcases David's knack for storytelling and his brilliant ability to come up with a catchy tune that takes us to the highs and lows of our emotions. And then the abrupt nature of the song's ending, though never stated outright, would lead us to be confronted with the question: "Will you accept the offer?"

(Related scripture: Matthew 4:19; John 15:13; John 6:35)

Connect with David Bollmann

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