The Story Behind the Song — “Make Every Effort”

There can be a tension in the Christian life between grace and effort.

Scripture makes it clear that we cannot earn our salvation. It is the gift of God, received by grace through faith. Jesus has already done what we could never do for ourselves.

But grace was never meant to make us passive.

Again and again, Scripture tells believers to “make every effort” — toward peace, unity, holiness, spiritual growth and a life that reflects Christ. We aren't working for salvation. We are responding to the God who is already working in us.

That is the idea behind “Make Every Effort.”

The central picture of the song comes from Israel crossing the Jordan River in Joshua 3. The river stood between Israel and the land God had promised them. God could have stopped the water before the priests ever approached it.

But He didn't.

The priests carried the Ark toward the Jordan while the river was still flowing. They reached the water's edge and stepped in.

Their feet went into the Jordan — then God stopped the water.

They couldn't stop that river themselves. Their effort didn't produce the miracle. God did what only God could do.

But they still had to take the step He told them to take.

That became the central line of the song:

“The Jordan didn't move
Till the priests' feet went in.”

It's a picture of cooperation with God. We don't supply His power, but we respond to His leading. Sometimes the Spirit tells us to move. Sometimes He tells us to wait. Sometimes He calls us to forgive, make peace, change the way we think, leave an old habit behind, build someone up, or take a step when we can't yet see what will happen.

Our responsibility isn't to manufacture the outcome. It is to keep in step with the Spirit.

Philippians 2:12–13 captures that relationship beautifully. Paul tells believers to work out their salvation, and then immediately explains why: God Himself is working within them, giving them both the desire and the ability to do His will.

God works in us — and we respond.

That is why the chorus deliberately says:

“I don't work to earn salvation
Jesus settled that for me
I make every effort
As His Spirit works in me.”

Those two truths belong together.

Grace is the foundation.
The Spirit provides the power.
God gives the direction.
We take the step.

And sometimes we may not see the water move until our feet leave the land.

Key Scriptures

Joshua 3:15–17 — The priests carrying the Ark stepped into the Jordan, the water stopped flowing, and they stood on dry ground while Israel crossed.

Galatians 5:25 — “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Philippians 2:12–13 — We are called to work out what God is working within us, because it is God who gives us the desire and power to act according to His purpose.

Ephesians 2:8–10 — Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works — yet we are created in Christ Jesus to do the good works God prepared for us.

2 Peter 1:5 — “Make every effort” to add to faith the qualities that develop Christian character.

Romans 14:19 — “Make every effort” to pursue peace and mutual encouragement.

Reflection

Maybe there's a Jordan in front of you right now.

You can't part it.
You can't control what happens on the other side.
And God isn't asking you to.

The question is simpler:

What step is the Spirit asking you to take?

Make every effort.

Keep in step with the Spirit.

Put your foot in the water.

And leave the river to God.

I think “Put your foot in the water. And leave the river to God.” is especially strong as the final thought for the website—it captures the entire song in two lines.