Stepping In
Where in all the clanging years is some clarity?
Where in all this circling is eternity?
Is the idea of some meaning a golden illusion?
A smokescreen or a pipedream confusion
I think I’ve always been afraid of futility
What if all that’s left at the end is the end of me?
But though our bodies may groan with the clinging dust
We hold the promise of eternity here in us
Chorus:
So I’m stepping in, I’m stepping in
Into the world that’s in front of me,
Into all that I can see
Stepping into the room, into the view
Yeah, ‘cuz time takes our lives but life takes time
We’ll never turn the wheel of living on a nickel or dime
Gotta lean in and spend it and pour it out
What is given free will beautifully still be found
(Chorus)
When the weight of the years finally falls away
And our vision is filled with the breaking day
We will lift up our weeping and songs of praise
To the one who redeems all our days
(Chorus)
Song notes:
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” Rom. 8:22-24a
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Eccl. 3:11
“For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Ps. 103:14
“Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven…. thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:49, 57-58
“The desire of the righteous ends only in good… [He] gives freely, yet grows all the richer….” Prov. 12:23-24
My natural inclination when I was in my twenties (not so long ago ;)), and still to some degree now, was towards apathy—is anything worthwhile really? I functioned on a daily basis, but investing in anything beyond the immediate took some convincing. One of the best things about my husband is that he has pushed me to grow in this area, but mostly just by being himself: joyful, curious, willing to work. God has also been gracious to me and “filled my vision” up with the beauty that is coming. Slowly I have seen how this is refracted into my daily life here and now, and I hope I will continue to grow in stepping into each day knowing that in the Lord it is not in vain.