This song by Audio Adrenaline has helped me through many times of fear, uncertainty, restlessness, anxiety... you name it... in my walk with Christ, and I would guess it has done the same for many others. Why? Because I think the verses of this song, as well as the bridge, state many of the thoughts, fears and negative emotions that many Christians deal with... and the chorus addresses the simple, biblical, truthful answer to all of it: Rest Easy.
And here's the thing... We can't deny that each of us, in different ways, deal with these thoughts, fears and negative emotions at times while we're growing in grace. Raise your hand if you rest in the fullness of the perfect truth all the time. I didn't think so. :) These things seem very real to us while we're going through them. However, since they're not based upon the truth of who we are in Christ, we don't want to stay in them. Rather, we want to displace them with the truth of our identity in Christ and with the truth of who God really is. This takes time and patience, but all the while we know that we can rest easy.
Audio Adrenaline - Rest Easy
One more mile 'til I lay rest
I have put myself through this rigid test
But the mile has never ended
No distance has been gained
I do not see greatness I wanted to obtain
Where is my embrace from the race that I have run?
I have kept a steady pace, but still I have not won
Chorus
Rest easy
Have no fear
I love you perfectly
Love drives out fear
I'll take your burden
You take my grace
Rest easy
In my embrace.
I am such a sinner
I fear my evil ways
I fear my imperfection
I fear my final days.
I just want to take control
And snap this rusty chain
Drop my heavy burden
It seems to be in vain
Chorus
Rest easy
Have no fear
I love you perfectly
Love drives out fear
I'll take your burden
You take my grace
Rest easy
In my embrace
Bridge
I am not a bold man even though I want to be
I am just a dreamer with a tender history
Scared of confrontations
I fume all through the night
The world has its hold on me and I just want to fly
The sky... the sky... is open wide
But I cant fly...
'Til I step aside
Chorus
Rest easy
Have no fear
I love you perfectly
And perfect love drives out fear
I'll take your burden
You take my grace
Rest easy
In my embrace
Rest easy, rest easy
Rest easy, in my embrace
Rest easy
There's no video for this song (that I know of) and I couldn't find a full audio version of the song online but here's a 30 second Windows Media or Real Player snippet of the song. If those links don't work, or if you want to sample other Audio A tunes, here's their website. (Make sure your speaker volume is low... a song starts playing immediately). Highlight "MEDIA" and click on "DISCOGRAPHY."
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6/3/08 update: Matthew posted a YouTube video for this yesterday. It's simply a blank screen but it includes the full audio. So here it is:
Whoa. This song describes EXACTLY what I feel and have felt. It was very reassuring...Thanks for posting Joel. My spirit was definitely lifted up during this and your e-mail response. I can't thank you enough!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I certainly can't deny having fear and negative emotions. I have had to deal with them within the last few days. Like you point out, no one is immune to having them from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that the devil sets a subtle trap for me while I am in the midst of struggling with fear. He tricks me into believing that I am the only one that has struggles with fear. So, it is encouraging when other Christians admit that they have these struggles to each other.
Matt & Gary,
ReplyDeleteI failed to mention in the post that just a few weeks ago I started listening to the album that this song came from on my mp3 player. I had forgotten about this song (the album is 15 years old), and as I listened to it a huge wave of emotion swept over me as the Lord reminded me of my secure identity in Him and of His faithfulness and rock-steadiness.