To sing at midnight

we’ve felt the pain
once again
promises broken in the words today
we’ve sat and talked about these paths we’ve walked
sometimes it’s dark, this battle fought
 

but you, you’ve made your mark
right from the start
it’s unbelievable, incredible
you’ve given us the heart to sing
at midnight

the nights get late as we’ve pondered this fate
that’s turning from chance into the plans you have made
the light you shine beyond the boundary line
to take us beyond our state of mind

but you have taken part in the stories of our hearts
it’s illogical, but wonderful
you’ve given us the heart to sing
at midnight

16/6/98

 

Time is a remarkable thing. I can’t believe it was ten years ago that I wrote that song. Ok, give or take a few weeks…

 

It’s a song written from a dark place where I could still see a light shining. A friend was going through an even darker place – but I felt there was hope amidst it all. I began to think of Paul, a follower of Jesus and one of the first people to lead others in Christ’s way… He’s in a Roman jail and worshipping God. I mean, in a rotting stinking jail at midnight worshipping God, and God sets him free. I think he was free even before the doors were broken open and before the chains were undone.

 

And that’s something much more remarkable than time.