Was one of them reading something from apocalyptic literature in his bible? One might think so, and perhaps what they found spoke collectively to this trio of composers – Brian Doerksen, Michael Hansen, and Brian Thiessen – and spurred them onward as they sang about “The River”. It wouldn’t be just any ordinary river (such as the River Wey [a main tributary of the Thames River in SE England] shown here, which is one of thousands of rivers on the Earth), because this one that they were coaxing hearers to approach would offer something that no other one could. And that’s not because there was something magical in the two molecules of hydrogen and one of oxygen therein; instead, this river’s Creator and Healer would be there, giving of Himself to the surroundings and to those who accept His invitation to come there. The words and music that the two Brians and Michael wrote undoubtedly reached out from their spirits to express something that all us mortals need to acknowledge in order to get well: we have an imperfection infection. That’s you, and me, and everyone else on this spinning spheroid. He’s got the way out of this imperfect mess, but one first has to be willing to get wet.
None of the three co-writers of ‘The River’ have shared what was transpiring around the time that they fashioned the song’s lyrics and music (published in January 2004), but maybe the song’s message says enough on its own. Perhaps someone was about to take his/her last breath (as in the case of one family who commented on this song’s special place in their memory as they watched a mother leave this life – see the comments at this link The River | Brian Doerksen Lyrics, Meaning & Videos); or maybe someone that one or more of them knew was pondering his spiritual condition and the way to rise above life’s troubles. Either of those scenarios would fit what these composers, via their composition, suggest was happening. Maybe they even shared with someone some vivid words written centuries ago, from Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2, in which two different writers saw a very similar vision about a river and healing leaves on nearby trees. And so, it’s no accident that the song might have had an impact on people; that’s what special revelation like Ezekiel and John had is supposed to accomplish, and when it is turned into a unique mode of musical expression, it touches the human spirit. We all have ‘sins I cannot bear’, and need to get ‘cleanse(d)’ (v.1). No one can force another, but when someone is ready to admit the truth about him-herself, that’s when the song’s chorus section can give such a person a loving nudge – ‘I am ready’, ‘surrender’, ‘take my hand…’, and ‘lead me closer’, can help that person express what’s buried deep within. Brian, Brian, and Michael penned the words that all of us need to know – ‘healing mercy’, and ‘freedom from despair’ (v.2) allows any of us to escape life’s dead-end alternative.
‘Life beyond compare’ (v.3) awaits, this threesome reminds us and others who honestly administer a self-examination. If you’re in physical prison, or worse yet nearing your deathbed, God will not shout His words louder for you. He’s already sent enough messengers in one or multiple forms of communication methods to get your attention. But, He’s a patient God and doesn’t want anyone to ‘perish’ (2 Peter 3:9); have you or someone close to you thought about that, that you’ve made it thus far because He’s still holding out hope that He’ll get to open the door to eternity for you? Could it be that ‘The River’ is but one more page in that journal of persuasion that He’s keeping about you? It’s still open today, but He will close it eventually. You got a better option than Him?
Read about the principal composer here: Brian Doerksen - Wikipedia
See information on the image of the river here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wey_source_farringdon.jpg …This work has been released into the public domain by its author, SuzanneKn at English Wikipedia. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: SuzanneKn grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. Find the picture inside this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River
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