LIFE Worship ‘Wide Open Space’

Written by: Laura Chambers (5/27/2016)

There are many reasons – some would say “excuses” – to stay indoors. As a Canadian, I’m rather familiar with bad weather; thunderstorms, blizzards, and oppressive heat have all conspired on occasion to keep me indoors (I’m not complaining if I’ve got tea, something baked and a book to read, mind you!).  I’ve spent many a dull, grey day staring out the window watching to see if things change so I can go to the library.

There are, of course, other reasons for staying inside. Some are confined to a hospital bed, some to a prison cell, some to their place of work or schoolroom. Still others lock themselves indoors because the outside world is too much for them to handle. We were never meant to remain confined by our worries, shame and fears. If God wanted us to remain there, He would have put Adam and Eve in the Cell of Eden instead of the Garden. (Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?) LIFE Worship’s album Wide Open Spaces, inspired by Romans 5, invites us to experience freedom in Christ; no barriers, doors, or limitations. (For some reason, I’m reminded of the final Calvin and Hobbes comic – “Let’s go exploring!”)

“Wide Open Space” uses water imagery to describe the way it feels to be caught in God’s love.  To be able to walk out on the vast ocean in any direction you choose is unlimited freedom. WE never know who we can become until we take a chance on faith. The seemingly counter-intuitively-entitled “Fortress” reminds us that rather than feeling trapped by God’s protection, we are freed through our safety to traverse His promises. The dread we carry must submit to His love, as it is nothing compared to grace. “Closer” erases the remaining distance between God and us, buoyed by the unconditional welcome we receive. Even if we have strayed, His love is not lessened.  “My Saviour Still” remembers that Jesus rescued us once and still defines us today.  A soaring surrender to a faithful rescuer who has transformed our shattered selves into something beautiful.

“When my world caved in

You were Saviour then

And You are my Saviour still”

“Kingdom Come” wends its way through the Lord’s Prayer, beautifully asking for God to show Himself on the Earth, that the lost may find their way to where they belong. An urgency is imparted to the lyrics that vaults the prayer beyond rote recitation to a cry that springs from our grateful hearts. “He Is Alive” focuses on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. We look ahead to the day when He will return and put an end to tears and pain at last, letting that fact inform all we do. “Love Let Loose” recognizes the difference in us when God’s love is allowed to run wild and flow into every part of our being. Surprisingly juxtaposing an internal war with completion and freedom, this track’s undercurrent of energy will carry you along. When He becomes a part of us, He gives us a new way to look at everything.  “Hope To Hold” reminds us that our hope flows from one source, and it is unshakeable. I love these lines – “And if hope is all that remains/Then I hold it all.” When nothing else is left, Jesus is everything we need.

“With Me Always” recalls Jesus’ departing words to the disciples, promising to remain with them always. In our struggles with faith, we need to know He hasn’t left us, even if there are no visible evidences of the truth.  Certainty of His faithfulness is brought home by the bridge (“You never left and You never will”); the entire tone of the song is as steady as a ship sailing across a calm sea. “Nothing Here Is Broken” describes God’s presence as a place where everything has been healed and made whole. Here, the only thing we could ever desire is continued closeness with Christ.  The revelation in “Cast Myself Completely” is that of our complete unworthiness to stand before God or bring Him anything of worth.  In response, we have only one option; to throw ourselves upon God’s mercy and surrender. Thankfully, He will accept us when we do. He is so wonderful that we cannot return to the way we were. “Holy” softly rounds out this album with a hushed encounter asking God to illuminate our inner darkness and work in our lives.  It could almost be a lullaby, even though it speaks of His power and glory.

Freedom comes in many forms, but true freedom is only found in Christ. Indeed, it can be experienced no matter where we are or what our lives look like. Wide Open Spaces celebrates the liberty no man can give and no door can keep out. It is in us through Him and fills us with hope for the future.

3.9/5