You said that you would shepherd me, but up ahead no rest I see, just endless miles of road.
To take care of myself I put your book and my heart on a shelf when your rest should be my home.
Why won't you lift ths load from me? I want to by still waters be, but maybe I'm the one who's roamed.
CHORUS
Take me into you further, God, and let me rest in You!
Take me into you further, God, cuz that's what I want to do, to be with You!
O all that's mine is yours,
But I am heavy full of drawers
Containing worries and stuggles I don't share.
Now God I open up, and I give you all my stuff,
for you my burdens bear.
Yes you know my every thought, but you long to hear my voice,
so I'll pour out both complaints and prayers to you.
Not just because I ought, but because my heart you've caught, and to draw near to you is what I want to do.
CHORUS
BRIDGE
So in the secret place I come to see your face, and I trust and hope in what you're going to do.
Your love will fill my soul. I can relax, you have control, and your peace and your grace will se me through
CHORUS B
Take me into you further God, and I will find my peace in you.
I cry, take me into you futher God, and that's just what you do, and I can be with you. I want to be with you.
Am Em C G, CHORUS Am C G D Bridge D C G D
I wrote this song as I felt quite overwhelmed. I just started a new job three weeks ago, just signed a lease for a new place today where I will be moving in a month, have a lot of other things going on, and feel ridiculously tired and like there is no way that I am going to get enough rest and like nobody cared about it (not true, but ya'll know how fickle and silly feelings can be). So, as I was crying to God, I thought, well, it is good to make music often in times of intense emotion, and so something like this song came out.
I took it down and it was a little different, but through the process I feel peaceful and refreshed by the presence of God and the truth that He is my good shepherd. I realized that coming to God needs to be top priority, and any rest will come from seeking him first. I still do not know quite how that is supposed to look, but I know that he will refresh and encourage me in his presence, with his word and spirit, and also through others.
Some of the imagery in the song includes:
The imagery about the drawers is supposed to be kind of like a chest of drawers, full of stuff (maybe I have moving on the mind).
The part about my Bible and heart on a shelf is supposed to be symbolic of not spending enough time in the word and not paying attention to my own feelings. Also earlier today I was looking for my Bible and saw that I put it on the shelf and I felt a twinge of sadness, as it reminded me that I had not spent as much time in it and seeking the Lord as I would like lately.
Finally, by saying "take me into You, further, God" I am expressing a desire to know his character and beauty further by becoming more consciously aware of his heart through prayer, Bible reading, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, worship, and anything that would be useful in showing me His character.
May this song, it's explanation, and the accompanying verses be encouraging, especially to anyone who feels stressed or overwhelmed.
Some Bible verses that this one reminds me of are:
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 14:37
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Song of Songs 2:14
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Psalm 142:2
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
Ps 23: 1-2
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Ps 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
