Courageous

The first single from American Contemporary Christian rock band Casting Crowns' fourth studio album finds frontman Mark Hall exhorting men to lead bold, uncompromising lives for the Lord. The song was added to Christian radio on August 12, 2011.

The song was also used to promote the 2011 Christian drama film Courageous and the music video features scenes from the movie.

Speaking to New Release Tuesday, Mark Hall explained the inspiration for the song: "Have you ever noticed the way kids act out at a movie they've just watched? As soon as they walk out of a theater, they pretend to be the movie's hero, even if it means imitating the super levitating karate kick they just saw. Here's the thing: Deep down inside, grown men have the same feelings. What is it about us men that fires us up when we watch an action movie? Think about it. We just sat on our butts for two hours and stuffed our guts full of extra salty popcorn and a half-gallon of cola, but after the movie we're like, 'You want some of this?' We're ready to take on the world. We all have a desire for significance. We want to know we matter. We want to know we count for something. But the best way to count for something is to stand for something - or better yet, for Someone. And the only way we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands. When I talk to people about this innate desire, I ask, 'Do you ever wonder if maybe it's your spirit longing to be more than just an audience to somebody else's fight?' We weren't created to be the audience. We were created to take part in what God is doing in his world. This song is an anthem of encouragement. It's one brother reminding all of God's men we were meant for greatness, and that greatness is defined in contagious and courageous abandonment to Jesus."