Tuesday, January 3, 2012

farther along.


Some songs really resonate with me, often becoming my anthem for days and weeks at a time; the words and the melodies pull me through when it doesn't seem like much else can. I firmly believe God works through poets and artists and musicians; their talents always point me back to the One who holds it all in His hands.

I discovered Josh Garrels' "Farther Along" last fall, but the words are still powerful to me; they are still somehow exactly what I need to hear.

I hope his words resonate with you today, too.

---

Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by

Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man died, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both
We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes
Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope
In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I’ve seen

Where did I go wrong, I sang along
To every chorus of the song
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates
Leading mice and men down to their fates
But some will courageously escape
The seductive voice with a heart of faith
While walkin’ that line back home

So much more to life than we’ve been told
It’s full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down into the river and let it run
And wash away all the things you’ve done
Forgiveness alright

Chorus

Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I’m free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I’ll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me

And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
That the son of god is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon

Chorus

2 comments:

brie. said...

I LOVE this song - and posted about it also, a few months back. it is absolutely, a fantastic way to face a new year!

and the way he sums up the gospel in two lines stirs my soul:

Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man died, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both

Kristin @ KK & A CAMERA said...

Josh Garrels... his music is just incredibly powerful. I just found him last fall, but I love his music. This song's a fav, for sure. :)