An Old Abandoned Church
Redeeming Grace in the Ruins: An Old Abandoned Church
Lyrics
Vs1)
Introduction to Verse 1
The stained glass window's broken from a rock that some kid threw
Describing damage to stained glass caused by a thrown rock
Dust covers all the pages of the Hymnals in the pews
Noting dust-covered hymnals in the pews
The paint is chipped and the bell is cracked
Observing chipped paint and a cracked bell
Sometimes (tonight) I feel just like that
Expressing a personal feeling of similarity to the church's condition
CH)
Transition to Chorus
Forgotten by the builders hands
Describing the church as forgotten by builders
Left alone to fall or stand
Left alone to either deteriorate or endure
1st Ch) He see's the wretched shape I'm in and His love goes to work
1st Chorus: God sees the singer's wretched state, and His love starts working
2nd Ch) He sees the wretched shape it's in BUT His love's still at work
2nd Chorus: Correction - God sees the church's wretched state, but His love is still active
3rd Ch) He see's the wretched shape we're in and His love goes to work
3rd Chorus: God sees the collective wretched state, and His love acts
Bricks will crumble boards will break
Anticipating physical decay of the church
But His foundation never shakes
Assuring the stability of God's foundation despite physical deterioration
Filling me (us) with grace I (we) don't deserve
Receiving undeserved grace from God
When I (we) (start to) feel as empty as an Old Abandoned Church
Feeling as empty as the old abandoned church
Vs2)
Introduction to Verse 2
The neighbors haven't heard the choir singing therehere in years
Noting the absence of choir singing in years from neighboring residents
And It's been a while since the alter felt a sinners tear
Highlighting the lack of tears shed at the church's altar recently
But the cross is still there hanging in it's place
Emphasizing the presence of the cross despite the church's condition
And the sign out front still says Jesus saves
Noting the enduring message on the sign: "Jesus saves"
CH2)
Introduction to Chorus 2
Br)
Bridge: God remains present even when things fall apart
When things start to fall apart, He's not the one who leaves
Asserting God's steadfastness during difficulties
There's nothing He can't use to share the truth that sets us free
Affirming God's ability to use any circumstance to share liberating truth
Though the building is deserted, we will never be
Despite the deserted building, believers will never be abandoned by God
CH 3)
Introduction to Chorus 3
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