Tear Down The Fences And Lead Us Back To Life In You

I probably get more comments for “Lead Us Back” than any song I’ve written.  I wrote the lyrics and Brooks Ritter composed the music for this modern hymn of confession, which Brooks, Pastor Mike and the band recorded on Before The Throne.

I’ve thought more about the song in the past couple weeks than I have in a while, due to Pastor Daniel’s sermon series on Galatians and the “Fences” exhibit (if you missed the short video, check it out here).

Fences guard our hearts and homes

Comfort sings a siren tune

I’ve built so many “fences” around the cross that at times, I couldn’t even see the cross anymore in my life — nor, I’m sure, could others see it through me.  This was particularly on my mind while writing the last verse:

Lord, You’ve caused the blind to see,

We have blinded them again

With our man-made laws and creeds,

Eager, ready to condemn

Now we plead before Your throne —

Power sings a Siren tune

We’ve been throwing heavy stones,

Lead us back to life in You.

I have to fight these temptations daily:

• to make up my own “laws” and “creeds”
• To “power trip” and use my knowledge of scripture to get my way
• to throw stones at those who fall short of my rules.

I’m thankful to Pastor Daniel and to all of our elders and community group leaders who teach the true gospel –which, as Paul told the Galatians, is the only “gospel” worth listening to … and further, the one that all teachers should teach (“and if they preach any other, let them be eternally condemned”).  Galatians 1:9

We’re all sinners.  If we’re honest with ourselves, we can all see ourselves in the lyrics of “Lead Us Back” from time to time.  Thankfully God’s Word calls us back to the path of righteousness: Jesus + nothing = life before the throne of God.

For a more detailed “Story Behind The Song” about “Lead Us Back,” see sojournmusic.com

Artwork above: “Confession,” by Sojourn Visual Artists, from the Before The Throne art project.