Barstools to Bibles

I was raised on neon lights and Friday night noise
Smoke in my lungs, whiskey in my voice
Running with a crowd that was running from truth
Laughing too loud, but dying inside my youth

Ashes on the table, cards in my hand
Deals in the parking lot, I thought I was the man
Living for the buzz, just chasing the high
Didn’t know my soul was slowly running dry


Every wrong turn felt like freedom at the time
But sin always collects what it lets you borrow blind


From barstools to Bibles, from bottles to prayer
From midnight mistakes to a God who was there
He found me broken, face down in the dark
Lit up my life like a holy spark
Now my hands that poured drinks raise praise
Trading smoke-filled nights for amazing grace
I was lost in those reckless ways
Now I’m serving in His house these days


Sunday mornings used to be for sleep
Hungover regrets buried six feet deep
Didn’t want a preacher telling me wrong
So I drowned conviction in another song

But grace has a way of breaking through
Even when you’re running, it runs to you
He met me tired on a dead-end street
Love like fire knocked me to my knees


Shame said I’d gone too far to be saved
But mercy said, “Child, that’s why I came.”


From barstools to Bibles, from bottles to prayer
From empty religion to knowing He cares
He found me sinking, pulled me from the flood
Washed my stained past in redeeming blood
Now my hands that once dealt lies and pain
Lift up hope in Jesus’ name
I was lost in those reckless ways
Now I’m serving in His house these days


I stack chairs now instead of cash
Pass the offering plate instead of a flask
Used to close down bars at 2 AM
Now I open doors and welcome them

If you see me smiling, it ain’t the same high
It’s the peace I found when I let me die
The old me’s gone, that debt is paid
I’m living proof that grace remakes


From barstools to Bibles, from bottles to praise
From back-alley nights to holy days
He called my name through the noise and sin
And the church doors opened, I walked right in
Now the hands that once were stained with shame
Are serving coffee in Jesus’ name
I was lost in those reckless ways
Now I’m volunteering all my days


Neon faded, the cross still shines
He turned this sinner into a servant of mine
From barstools…
To Bibles.

Eric Clapton, soul and rock