Skip to main content

"dreaming" by John Kelly: Finding Peace Beyond the Chase


“dreaming” by John Kelly is a reflective song with a Christian tropical house vibe, and is about finding peace in God’s unchanging presence. Kelly shares, "I wrote it about the idea of chasing the wind and how God is the steady stream and unchanging protector - there's no need to chase the wind, but even in the times we chase, God will work it out for good for those who love God."

John Kelly - dreamingThe lyrics beautifully capture this tension: “I’m living on the east coast // But dreaming of the west coast for now.” It’s easy to get caught up in the endless pursuit of what’s next, but Kelly reminds us, “There’s a river right down the road // And it’s been here all along.” This river—God’s eternal care—is, “older than the sun and the rain,” and He is an endlessly constant factor.

We can't ignore what the noise and chaos can cause, “I read it in the magazines // I see it on the tv screen // They mess with my desire.” It can cause us to feel that we're missing out on something important unless..., "take action now!", and even leaves us feeling lost in this "never ending run around." But, there is always hope when we surrender to Him, "Just let it go // Let the mystery unfold." Sure, we may be chasing empty dreams from time to time, but if we love God and let Him work in our lives, we can be confident that He shapes everything for good: “He’ll work it out.”

May the message of this song, wrapped in a chill, soothing vibe, encourage you to slow down, focus on His whisper, and trust in His steadiness. In the middle of a world that runs after the temporary, it is God who will guide you back to what truly satisfies.

(Related scripture: Psalm 46:4; Ecclesiastes 1:14; Romans 8:28)

Connect with John Kelly

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

Tags:

Popular posts

"When I Saw The Light" by Tyler Philip Ratcliffe: Folk, Grace, and the Moment Everything Changes

“When I Saw The Light” captures something painfully familiar — the trap that routine can bring. Tyler Philip Ratcliffe wrote this folk anthem as a follow-up to “This Little Light of Mine,” drawing on his bluegrass roots and the spirit of Bill Monroe’s classic to tell a story many will recognize in themselves. The verses don’t sugarcoat it. “Same faces, same mistakes, same places // Promise that I change it all tomorrow”  — the trap we need to be aware of… The routine masquerading as life. But Ratcliffe doesn’t leave the listener there. The chorus lifts everything: “I traded fake for something honest // Finally doing something right.” That’s the turning point! What makes this song land is its honesty about the moment before a breakthrough. When numbness sets in, when you’ve exhausted every other option — that’s when the light (His light) breaks through. Ratcliffe captures the surprise of grace: “I wasn’t looking for religion // Wasn’t searching for the truth.” Nobody ever is. And ye...
More >>

"Dancing In Your Light" by Ora Street Mission Band: Shining Through Everyday Acts

Ora Street Mission Band put their finger on something important with "Dancing In Your Light." It's the fact that (as Christians) we don't generate our own light, we reflect God's light. It's like the moon reflecting the sun at night. As Christians, we are called to be lights to the world! The vibe of the song draws from a rich musical palette, inspired by The Police, Weather Report, and Toto, giving the song a contemporary groove that matches the song's present-day message. The song encourages you to come into action. So, what does it look like to live as a bearer of His light? The lyrics try to compare this with a firefly lit from within, and a lighthouse holding firm before a raging sea. Each comparison points to the same truth… His light is given to be shared with others. "If he has illuminated you, then fly and be free!" Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world." This song turns that fact into a call to action. Shine, move, and...
More >>

"Living Proof" by Island Tribe Collective: When His People Unite, Mountains Move

(by Jasper Tan) "Living Proof" by Island Tribe Collective (featuring Sherwin Gardner, Marc Isaacs, and Alicia Taylor) is a live recording of a powerful, high-energy worship anthem that embodies what the collective calls "Caribbean Worship." The group invites us into a celebration of faith, utilizing the culture from the Caribbean islands and how they express it as a living proof of God's goodness. The song talks about our faith and the new beginnings that are promised to us after we overcome our struggles and hardships. Their repeated proclamation of "Lord, I'm living proof" aims to drive down the message that each one of us is already a living proof of God's faithfulness love, and mercy. We all have our own unique faith experiences and stories that could somehow inspire the people around us. So for those of us who have been know for our strong faith, being able to overcome our struggles and testify about it, brings a more concrete testimony an...
More >>