Skip to main content

"Simply" by Red Letter Society: The One Thing That Matters Most


Have you ever felt swamped by to-do lists, convinced that checking all of the boxes for God is the only way that you can prove your devotion to Him? Red Letter Society's song "Simply" is about that struggle. The lyrics were inspired by the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospels. 

Red Letter Society - SimplyIn the Gospels, we read how Jesus gently rebukes Martha, who was fretting over endless preparations rather than just sitting at His feet. Following that same comparison, the song invites us to lay down all of our striving and checking the boxes, so that we can return to what's really important.

The verses repeat "All I wanted was Your presence all along," reminding us how easily we can lose sight of God when we're caught up in daily chaos. Instead of chasing more tasks or bigger acts of service, we're encouraged to make an intentional choice to "sit here at Your feet," just like Mary did… humbly being in His presence. 

The bridge repeats, "I simply need, You // Simply seek, You // Simply love, You," driving home the core message of this song: the deepest need in life is not to do more for God, but to be with Him. 

So, take a few minutes to listen to "Simply." May this song remind you that being in His presence beats perfection every single time, and that God values your attention a lot more than your productivity.

(Related scripture: Luke 10:42; Psalm 27:4; Matthew 6:33)

Background:

Inspired by the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospels, “Simply” reflects on Jesus’ words that while we are often anxious and distracted by many things, “one thing is necessary.” The song is an invitation to lay down striving and return to the simple posture of presence, reminding listeners that the deepest need in life is not doing more for God, but being with Him.

Release date: March 13, 2026

Connect with Red Letter Society

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

Tags:

Popular posts

"King Of All Nations" by Ezra Worship Initiative: Sing Today What Heaven Will Sing Forever

Your worship today echoes eternity. Ezra Worship Initiative trains young worship leaders through a ten-week, seminary-based internship. Their songwriters learn Scripture first and melody second. You can hear this in their latest release, “King Of All Nations,” a song written for congregations to sing. The song opens as a prayer: “May Your Name be proclaimed in all creation.” Who does the proclaiming? The Church does. The second verse asks God to “send Your Church to go and tell the gospel story,” which puts all who sing this right inside the request. Who on your street has never heard His name from you? Then the chorus lifts the roof: “All the honor, voices lifted to the King.” Worship here is not a performance. It is sung as a community, young and old, a multigenerational voice of praise. The bridge looks ahead. “All will come, and all will bow.” John saw the same moment: “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, stan...
More >>

"Man of Sorrows" by Lauren Gruwell: Jesus Feels Your Pain With You

Jesus knows your pain before you speak it. Lauren Gruwell knows what it is when Jesus feels unreachable. Trauma in her childhood left her with deep sorrow, and for years Jesus seemed too far away. She didn’t think she was good enough to come near Him. Are you also familiar with that feeling? Do you sit in the dark, tears falling, and wonder: “… no one knows but if they did, would they care?” Lauren shares: “It wasn’t until He changed me, that I realized that HE has felt all the pain I’ve ever felt, and that He loves me regardless.” The Savior that she thought she couldn’t approach had already walked her road. This song, “Man of Sorrows”, grew from that discovery, and it carries a promise for anyone who hurts: “And all of my hurt, He felt it first…” . Jesus hurts right beside you. In Isaiah 53:3, we read that He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Then comes the line that changes everything: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Our griefs. Our sorrow...
More >>

"No Other Name" by Joakim Arenius and Josef Tingbratt: Hope That Outlasts the Darkness

Darkness grips hard, but one name holds harder. Where do you turn when your strength runs out? Josef Tingbratt and Joakim Arenius wrote “No Other Name” for that moment. Their song follows a man who is “Restless weary and alone,” “So many miles from home.” Inner voices that treat him unkindly. Then a night raid brings brutal violence: “They tried to break his body down, but they could not break his crown.” Notice what he does when “darkness gets its grip.” He calls Jesus: “Jesus, Jesus hear my cry.” No fancy words, just a cry. The song grew where two struggles meet. Some believers face ridicule or violence for following Jesus. Others fight a quieter battle with loneliness and doubt. Both struggles need the same answer. Peter answered the rulers who questioned him in Acts 4:12: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” He spoke with threats hanging over him. His confidence never rested on comfortable c...
More >>