The Maker

I've liked the song, "The Maker," since I first heard it.  I have the Dave Matthews Band live version that is over 9 minutes long.  I liked the lyrics instantly for the biblical references and who doesn't like an extended DMB jam session? 

However, I heard it this week for the first time in a while and, for the first time, I heard the story of spiritual transformation of the river and was able to relate in human experience.

In the beginning, the river is deep, dark and cold having run a twisted mile.  It stands "with arms wide open" longing for acceptance and love, yet describes itself as "a stranger in the eyes of The Maker."  How many people do you know that would describe themselves like that? 

I'm impressed by the knowledge of the river and that it recognizes The Maker.  It's as though the river remembers who created it and has been watching God's people since the beginning of time, but doesn't feel worthy or useful, it's "body is bent and broken from a long and dangerous sleep."  

How many times have you not been able to see because of a fog in your eyes, or perhaps more often, the fear in your life? I am so inspired by what must have been excitement when, through the fog, the river saw its maker walking to it. Once Jesus was baptized by John The Baptist in the river, it was "not a stranger in the hands of The Maker." Its cold, dark water was now flowing over Jesus as He was being blessed by the Holy Spirit. 

Now with a new light in its life, the river begins to offer help by working the fields of Abraham and points out to Brother John that there are "homeless daughters" with broken wings. What all has this river witnessed in its silent observance that it now feels empowered to change? Did it not take action before because it thought no one cared? 

By the end, the river is rising from its sleep. The line seems to lure the water higher and higher over its banks. I wonder what it will do? Now that it is redeemed and can feel, how will it contribute?  

"The Maker" lyrics:

Oh, Oh Deep water 

Black, and cold like the night 

I stand with arms wide open 

I've run a twisted mile 

I'm a stranger
in the eyes of the Maker 

I could not see
for fog in my eyes 

I could not feel
for the fear in my life 

From across the great divide 

In the distance i saw a light 

John Baptist
walking to me with the Maker 

My body is bent and broken 

by long and dangerous sleep 

I can work the fields of Abraham 

and turn my head away 

I'm not a stranger
in the hands of the Maker 

 Brother John 

Have you seen the homeless daughters 

standing there
with broken wings 

I have seen the flaming swords 

there over east of eden 

burning in the eyes of the Maker 

burning in the eyes of the Maker 

burning in the eyes of the Maker 

burning in the eyes of the Maker 

oh river rise from your sleep....