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"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)

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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/

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