A song about turning away from distractions that reflects on the gospel accounts of the temptations of Jesus in the desert at the start of His ministry.
temptation
littlemore
Story behind the song
In 2006 I took a personal retreat for renewal and reflection. One of the biblical passages I focused upon was the accounts of the temptation of Jesus that can be found in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.
In these accounts Jesus is tempted in different ways to either overestimate or underestimate the ability of God to meet His deepest needs. In the end He concludes that He will worship God alone.
In our lives we experience all sorts of temptations. There is so much around us that invites us to find our satisfaction elsewhere than the love of God. Things. Relationships. Quick fixes.
I found the passage a tremendous encouragement to know that when I face temptation, Jesus knows how that feels like to the ultimate degree! Yet He was able to find a way through.
For sure, we will turn in every direction possible to see our needs are met and we will sometimes mess up, but it is so good to know that God totally understands the ongoing dilemma of simply being human in a world full of distractions.
Lyrics
Turning This way, Turning That way
Adrian J Pratt 2006
Where do we turn when we feel we are failing?
Things of this world come a little to close?
How do we deal with the longing and yearning?
How do we find what our hearts need the most?
Turning this way, turning that way,
Turning every which way but the way we should go,
Oh Lord Jesus,
Im so glad you know!
Forty long days and nights in the desert
Hungry and tired? Turn the stones into bread,
Show everyone that Youre superhuman,
Thrown Yourself down that old Tempter said.
Turning this way, turning that way,
Turning every which way but the way we should go,
Oh Lord Jesus,
Im so glad you know!
Look at this world
Look at these things
Isnt this just everything you dreamed of?
Look at that person
Look at that car
Look at that house
Man, can you believe it?
A little more money, A little m-more
A little more Seems like all we ever want is a little more. Hmm.
Accuser showed Jesus treasures of this world
Saying, Its yours, just do it my way.
Jesus, He showed His strong disagreement
I worship God was all He would say.
Turning this way, turning that way,
Turning every which way but the way we should go,
Oh Lord Jesus,
Im so glad you know!
Im so glad you know!
Im so glad you know!
Im so glad you know!