The Afters stopped by the CCM Café and gave us this special acoustic performance of their single, ‘Say Goodbye (Say Hello.)’

Before singing their latest song, Josh and Matt explained the meaning behind “Say Goodbye (Say Hello).” 

The song, Josh states, is about being made a new creation in Christ, about putting off the old self and putting on the new self. Josh also talked about how the song is relevant to himself and Matt. 

“We were thinking back through these last couple years and there’s been a lot of a lot of things we’ve gone through that, we’ve left things that I don’t want to carry into the future,” Josh says. “You know, bad habits and struggles that I want to leave behind and leave in the past.”

 Josh also adds that all of that is only possible for one reason.

“And we have freedom in all of that through Jesus. So, this song is about saying goodbye to the things you want to leave in the past and saying hello to a future that God has for you.”

The lyrics of the first verse make it clear for someone dealing with life’s storms and if their past is weighing them down like a ball and chain, there is hope. The song’s catchy and truth-filled chorus provides the answer.

“Goodbye to the shame you hide
Goodbye to the regret-filled life
Say hello to born again”

The second verse describes what awaits those who leave the past behind and ask for forgiveness and put their future in Christ. The verse mentions the abundance of love, mercy and freedom that exists when we become made new in Christ. 

Everyone has a past, often filled with failures, hurts and regrets. Thankfully, because of the hope Jesus gave us, we do not have to live that way. This song is an excellent reminder of the future and the life available in Jesus. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is in a new world: the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”