JEFF TURNER

Gospel music often captures the beauty of worship and the power of faith. One such song is Legacy Five’s poignant track inspired by the idea that worship spaces, no matter how small, can hold infinite significance. Lee Black of Legacy Five spoke with Texas Gospel about the song offering a glimpse into the creative process and spiritual truths behind it.

The inspiration for the song came from a story shared by Scott Fowler, another member of Legacy Five. Black recounted, “Scott told us this story on the bus one morning of a church in the early days of Legacy Five where they were scheduled to sing… he said they pulled up and the bus was literally bigger than the church building. I think the pastor saw the shocked looks on their faces as they got off the bus and said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s bigger on the inside.’” This phrase, simple yet profound, sparked Black’s creativity. “It really is amazing to me that our infinite God allows himself to come into our little worship spaces… even the smallest country church. So that’s where that song came from,” he explained.

The song’s bridge is closely tied to scripture, specifically Matthew 18:20, which says, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” Black reflected on the connection, saying, “Again, I’m just struck by how small we are and how BIG the God we worship is. And, yet, somehow… when we gather in our tiny worship spaces, He is there!” This biblical truth serves as the foundation of the song’s message, reinforcing the idea that the presence of God transcends physical dimensions.

When discussing his songwriting process, Black revealed the meticulous attention he pays to moments of inspiration. “In the notes section of my phone, I keep a running list of possible song titles… those moments that move me that I feel could be turned into songs,” he shared. The phrase “Don’t worry. It’s bigger on the inside” was one such moment that lingered with him. Upon returning home from the road, he quickly began crafting the song, using vivid descriptions to bring the church in the story to life. “I just started describing ‘that’ church – where it was, what it looked like, etc. I even used some actual street names from my little hometown,” he said. Despite initially believing it might not suit Legacy Five, the song found its way into the group’s repertoire and became a cherished piece for both the artists and their audience.

The song’s core message underscores the importance of the heart in worship, rather than the grandeur of the location. “The ‘place’ is so much less important than the ‘heart’ of those who gather to worship,” Black emphasized. “We can be in the grandest cathedral or the tiniest backwoods church – if we come with hearts ready to worship the Lord, He will let Himself be found!” This is a theme that gives listeners a personal connection to the song. “I’ve been amazed at the folks who’ve come by the record table saying, ‘That’s my church!’” Black noted. “Even if you’ve moved on to another church, even if ‘that’ church no longer stands… you still hold sweet memories of the place where you met Jesus for the first time.”

In the larger context of Legacy Five’s ministry, the song aligns with their commitment to sharing biblical truths and encouraging communal worship. Black highlighted the importance of gathering as believers, saying, “I hope people would take away the truth of Matthew 18:20 – that when we gather in the name of Jesus, He is there. And it’s SO important for believers to gather together as His Church.” He further stressed that the physical setting is secondary to fulfilling the mission of worship and discipleship.

Through this song, Legacy Five reminds Gospel music fans that worship is not confined by walls or measured by size. It is the sincerity of the heart and the unity of believers that create a sacred space where God dwells.