i’ll be honest, although i love good worship, i am not that big on contemporary Christian. but there are times when a song will come across the radio (if i ever happen to be listening to the radio) that gets me. it grabs me where i’m at. purely because of the lyrics. i am all about God’s mercy because unfortunately i suck at mercy myself. and this one pretty much nails it.
casting crowns
east to west
Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
’cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
’cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
I know You’ve washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You, but You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
’cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
(Just how far the east is from the west, just how far)
One scarred hand to the other
(Lord, Just how far the east is from the west, just how far)
From one scarred hand to the other
I feel the same way you do about CCM, Crystal. For me, much of the time the lyrics are straight out of a Hallmark greeting card. Too much of it just sounds too nice, and that’s not necessarily authentic Christianity. Casting Crowns writes music that isn’t afraid to get to the heart of an issue, and this song is certainly no exception.
[Reply]
I am kind of the same way. Lyrics are where it is at. They are what pulls at my heartstrings. Perhaps its because I am tone death. But even still, I take into account every word that leaves my lips during a song.
[Reply]