Andrew Ripp - Wide As The World Lyrics
Lyrics
You think you've drifted out of reach
Disappeared into the night
Middle of the ocean, no rescue in sight
You think you're out of second chances
One too many mistakes
Whole life of running for nothing cause there's no escape
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
They never stop rebuilding the bridges we've burned
Forever after lost ones till the last one's returned
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
White knuckles wide open
Laying down the fight
Finally finding you don't have to hold on so tight
No more weapons left to carry
No more enemy lines
Standing on a street called forgiveness with heart's reconciled
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
They never stop rebuilding the bridges we've burned
Forever after lost ones till the last one's returned
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
There is room for you
There is room for me
There is no such thing
As no vacancy
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
They never stop rebuilding the bridges we've burned
Forever after lost ones till the last one's returned
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
They never stop reaching
They never stop reaching
The loving arms
The loving arms of God are as wide as the world
Video
Andrew Ripp - Wide as the World (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on April 19, 2024, Andrew Ripp’s single, "Wide As The World," emerges as a poignant anthem for hope and divine restoration, instantly carving out a space for profound reflection in the contemporary Christian music landscape. From its opening notes, this song lays bare the raw human experience of feeling utterly lost and irredeemable, only to pivot towards an expansive vision of God’s boundless love and unending grace. It’s a powerful narrative set to music, designed to speak directly to those wrestling with guilt, regret, and the fear of being too far gone, offering a spiritual compass pointing unequivocally towards forgiveness and acceptance.
The song immediately dives into the depths of human despair, painting vivid pictures of isolation and failure. We encounter the soul that believes it has "drifted out of reach," lost in the "middle of the ocean, no rescue in sight," or convinced it's "out of second chances" after "one too many mistakes." This resonates deeply with the human condition described in Romans 3:23, where we are reminded that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and the consequent feeling of separation from God that Isaiah 59:2 describes when "your iniquities have separated you from your God." Ripp masterfully articulates the heavy burden of past choices and the exhausting futility of trying to outrun one’s own conscience, echoing the sentiment of Psalm 139:7-10, which acknowledges that there is no place on earth or in the depths where one can escape God's presence.
However, the core message, beautifully encapsulated in the chorus, is a soaring declaration of God’s infinite mercy: "The loving arms of God are as wide as the world / They never stop rebuilding the bridges we've burned / Forever after lost ones till the last one's returned." This isn't merely a comforting thought; it's a foundational truth rooted in Scripture. The imagery of arms "wide as the world" speaks to God's omnipotence and omnipresence, His ability to reach anyone, anywhere, at any time, a concept affirmed in Jeremiah 23:24, "Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord." The promise of "rebuilding the bridges we've burned" profoundly illustrates God’s redemptive power and His commitment to reconciliation, aligning with 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 which states that God "reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." Furthermore, the relentless pursuit of "lost ones till the last one's returned" mirrors the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son in Luke 15, emphasizing God’s joyful desire for every individual to come home.
The journey continues, moving from desperation to surrender in the second verse. Ripp describes the profound relief of letting go: "White knuckles wide open / Laying down the fight / Finally finding you don't have to hold on so tight." This speaks directly to the peace found in casting our anxieties on Him, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7, and finding rest for our souls in Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The imagery of "no more weapons left to carry / No more enemy lines" powerfully signifies the end of internal conflict and spiritual warfare that often accompanies guilt, ushering in a newfound sense of peace that "transcends all understanding," as described in Philippians 4:7. The phrase "Standing on a street called forgiveness with heart's reconciled" beautifully illustrates the transformative power of God’s grace, making us new creations, as referenced in 2 Corinthians 5:17, and bringing us into a state of peace with Him, as declared in Romans 5:1.
The bridge serves as an inclusive invitation, a bold proclamation that dismantles any lingering doubt about belonging: "There is room for you / There is room for me / There is no such thing / As no vacancy." This powerful affirmation directly counters feelings of inadequacy or exclusion. It echoes the boundless nature of God’s love and His desire for all humanity to come to Him, as stated in John 3:16, and 1 Timothy 2:4, which reveals God "desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." It’s a direct response to the yearning for belonging, assuring every individual that they are valued and welcomed into the divine embrace, a truth Jesus Himself hints at when speaking of the "Father’s house" having "many rooms" in John 14:2. The song concludes by reiterating God’s persistent and unwavering love, "They never stop reaching," a testament to His steadfastness, a love so powerful that nothing "in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord," as promised in Romans 8:38-39. Andrew Ripp's "Wide As The World" is more than just a song; it's a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the immeasurable and unwavering love of God, consistently reaching out, rebuilding, and receiving every single one of us.