In the posts entitled “Guard Your Heart” and “Guard Your Heart: Music Advice,” I wrote about the important role that listening to GOD-focused music can have upon us. I also promised to highlight some specific songs that hold special meaning for me, and today’s post is the first of those. The band Tenth Avenue North is definitely among my favorite artists in the Christian genre, with their Over and Underneath album being my favorite thus far.
While virtually every track on this CD is among my favorites, today I’m spotlighting track 7: “Times.”
Here are the lyrics to the song “Times”:
I know I need You
I need to love You
I love to see You, but it’s been so long
I long to feel You
I feel this need for You
And I need to hear You, is that so wrong?
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Now You pull me near You
When we’re close, I fear You
Still I’m afraid to tell You, all that I’ve done
Are You done forgiving?
Oh can You look past my pretending?
Lord, I’m so tired of defending, what I’ve become
What have I become?
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
I hear You say,
“My love is over. It’s underneath.
It’s inside. It’s in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can’t feel.
The times that you question, ‘Is this for real? ‘
The times you’re broken.
The times that you mend.
The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.
Well, My love is over, it’s underneath.
It’s inside, it’s in between.
These times you’re healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you’re falling from grace.
The times you’re hurting.
The times that you heal.
The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.
The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.
I’m there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.
I’m there through your heartache.
I’m there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My pow’r alone.
I don’t care where you fall, where you have been.
I’ll never forsake you, My love never ends.
It never ends.”
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh, oh.
“Times” is a song that speaks to those moments in our life when we’ve become discouraged or feel our faith wavering. It’s about confession, something I’ve discussed previously here and here. We become discouraged with our sins, our shortcomings, our storms, and we wonder if GOD is close to giving up on us. Sometimes we wake up and realize we’ve made some poor choices and GOD feels distant. It feels like we’re in the “far country” (see Luke 16).
Then, at just the right time, when we’re broken and desperate, GOD answers. He answers with the Father’s voice, with loving compassion, with understanding, recognizing the weakness of our frame. He reminds us of His nearness, His ever-abiding presence. He reaffirms His promise to protect and keep His child and never give up on us.
Then, as the song concludes, it’s as if you can feel the calming reassurance that is brought about by His promises, and we’re ready to press on.
You can listen to “Times” via the YouTube video below.
I don’t know about you, but from the first time I heard this song, I connected deeply with it. Sometimes when I feel down or depressed, I’ll listen to this song and it reminds me of GOD’s promises to me.
(P.S. If you like this song, I highly recommend the 12/18/2012 iTunes session version. It’s my favorite version thus far.)
Leave a Reply