Avalon - A Maze of Grace Lyrics
Lyrics
I run, I fall
I walk, I sometimes crawl
I give, I take
I bend and yet somehow I break
I get dizzy from all this spinning 'round
I'm determined but wonder where I'm bound
I've learned to follow the sweet familiar sound of your voice
The straight and narrow twists and turns
I make my way and everyday I live I learn to follow You
You walk me through a maze of grace
I stand, I sway
I reach for you, I push away
I'm spent, I'm saved
I disobey, yet I behave
In my personal struggle to break free
The only peace for the puzzle that I need
Is just to follow the sweet familiar lead of your love
The straight and narrow twists and turns
I make my way and everyday I live I learn to follow You
You walk me through a maze of grace
I'm lost in You and there I'm found
You're gently guiding
Everytime I turn around it's no surprise
To see my life's a maze of grace
Video
A Maze Of Grace
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 1997, as the title track from Avalon’s seminal album *A Maze of Grace*, this song stands as a profound testament to the intricate journey of faith. It masterfully articulates the raw, often paradoxical, experience of navigating life under divine guidance, painting a vivid picture of the human spirit’s vacillations between strength and weakness, surrender and resistance. The song doesn't shy away from depicting the messy reality of spiritual growth, making its message resonate deeply with anyone who has wrestled with their walk with God.
The lyrics begin by establishing a universal human condition: "I run, I fall, I walk, I sometimes crawl, I give, I take, I bend and yet somehow I break." This opening confession immediately draws us into a shared vulnerability, acknowledging the ebb and flow of life’s demands and the inherent frailty that causes us to stumble despite our best efforts. It mirrors the Apostle Paul’s own struggle in Romans 7:19, where he laments, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." The subsequent lines, "I get dizzy from all this spinning 'round, I'm determined but wonder where I'm bound," perfectly capture the sense of disorientation and search for purpose that often precedes a profound spiritual turning point. It's in this state of searching that the voice of God becomes a beacon: "I've learned to follow the sweet familiar sound of your voice," a clear echo of Jesus’ words in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
The core metaphor, "You walk me through a maze of grace," is introduced in the chorus and serves as the song's spiritual anchor. It challenges the simplistic notion of faith as a straight, clear path. Instead, it acknowledges that the "straight and narrow twists and turns," a direct allusion to Matthew 7:13-14, which describes the narrow gate and difficult road that leads to life. This "maze" isn't a labyrinth designed to confuse or trap, but one divinely orchestrated, where every turn, every perceived dead end, is a part of God's sovereign leading. It suggests that grace isn't just a saving act, but an active, moment-by-moment presence that guides us through life’s complexities. This perspective aligns powerfully with Psalm 23:3, "He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake," reinforcing the idea of a personal, intimate guidance through life's intricate landscape.
The second verse delves deeper into the internal conflict, articulating the constant push and pull within the believer: "I stand, I sway, I reach for you, I push away, I'm spent, I'm saved, I disobey, yet I behave." This honest portrayal of spiritual inconsistency resonates deeply with the human experience, where faith often coexists with doubt, and obedience with occasional rebellion. It speaks to the ongoing process of sanctification, a journey where perfection is not achieved instantly but continually pursued through reliance on Christ. The resolution to this internal struggle is found in surrender: "In my personal struggle to break free, The only peace for the puzzle that I need, Is just to follow the sweet familiar lead of your love." This points to the profound truth of Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." It's not about achieving a perfect state, but about consistently turning back to God’s loving guidance.
As the song culminates, the declaration "I'm lost in You and there I'm found" beautifully articulates the paradox of Christian surrender. It mirrors Jesus' teaching in Matthew 10:39, "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." True self-discovery and purpose are realized not in independent striving, but in complete immersion within God’s will and presence. The recurring realization that "Everytime I turn around it's no surprise, To see my life's a maze of grace" reinforces the song's central thesis: God's grace is not merely an abstract theological concept, but a tangible, ever-present force actively shaping and directing our lives, even when the path ahead seems unclear. It reminds us that even in our wanderings, even in our struggles, His gentle hand is continually guiding, proving that His grace is indeed sufficient for every twist and turn, just as 2 Corinthians 12:9 promises. This song serves as a powerful reminder that the Christian journey is less about flawless navigation and more about trusting the One who walks with us, transforming every challenge into an opportunity to experience His profound, unfailing grace.