Seph Schlueter wrote his new single, “Valley Of Worship,” in the wake of losing his daughter. His wife was pregnant with their first child, and the couple went to her 20-week ultrasound appointment only to discover there was no longer a heartbeat.
The raw “Valley Of Worship” — which Schlueter penned with David Leonard, Ethan Hulse and Jacob Sooter — finds the newcomer pouring his doubts and fears out in song, questioning God’s goodness in the midst of unfathomable grief. The lyrics reveal a heartbroken father grappling with the ache of reality in the face of what he knows to be true of God’s character:
I have felt the deepest loss
I have questioned if You’re good
And when You led me to the cross
Only then I understood
That even in the ruthless pain
There’s a river running through
And every bend along the way
Brought me closer in to You
Ultimately, the “Turn It To Praise” singer draws the conclusion that while he might not ever fully understand the reasons behind the significant loss, he has experienced the nearness of the Lord in a tangible way as he and his wife have walked through this season of acute pain and confusion.
“Even in the valleys, God is still worthy of our praise,” he says of the overarching message of the original track. “I pray that ‘Valley Of Worship’ helps you lift your eyes to Him, wherever you are.”
“Valley Of Worship” made its radio debut exclusively as an Air1 Worship First. Meanwhile, Schlueter has been sharing the vulnerable, anthemic selection across his headlining “Counting My Blessings Tour.” After hearing the song, so many listeners have shared their own tender stories of pregnancy loss.
The Ohio-based artist is set to support Crowder on the road this spring, alongside Patrick Mayberry. This summer, he’ll join TobyMac on a run that will also feature Zach Williams and Jamie MacDonald.
