Benjamin Dube - Give Me Direction Lyrics
Lyrics
Where to from here, if not with you
My past has kept me where I am
Now is the time to
Give me direction (to move on)
Shine your light upon me
I know the time has come for me
Give me the strength (to move on)
Where to from here, if not with you
My past has kept me where I am
Now is the time to
Give me direction (to move on)
Shine your light upon me
I know the time has come for me
Give me the strength (to move on)
Eloi Eloi, lama sabachthani
Give me direction (to move on)
I know the time has come for me
Give me the strength to move on
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani
Shine your light upon me
I know the time has come for me
Give me the strength to move on
Give me direction to move on
Give me the strength to move on
Give me direction to move on
I know the time has come for me
Give me the strength to move on
Video
Benjamin Dube - Give Me Direction (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Benjamin Dube's "Give Me Direction," released on September 30, 2014, as part of the album *Renewal in His Presence*, stands as a powerful testament to the human struggle for spiritual clarity and the unwavering reliance on divine guidance. This song emerges from a deeply personal space, articulating a universal yearning to break free from the constraints of the past and step into a God-ordained future. It’s a fervent prayer set to music, speaking directly to the soul caught at a crossroads, desperately seeking the way forward. The narrative behind the song is one of spiritual introspection and surrender, where the singer acknowledges being trapped by past experiences and now, recognizing a divine calling, declares that "the time has come" for a profound shift.
The core message of "Give Me Direction" is an urgent, intimate appeal to God for guidance and empowerment. The opening lines, questioning "Where to from here, if not with you," immediately establish a complete dependence on the Divine for any meaningful progression. This reflects the sentiment in **Proverbs 3:5-6**, which urges us to "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." The admission, "My past has kept me where I am," resonates with countless individuals burdened by regret, past mistakes, or the inertia of familiar patterns. It is a candid acknowledgment of human limitation and the struggle to overcome personal history, aligning with the biblical call in **Hebrews 12:1** to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."
The repeated plea to "Give me direction to move on" and "Shine your light upon me" is a profound request for divine illumination. This isn't merely asking for a map; it's a cry for God's very presence to light the way, much like the psalmist’s declaration in **Psalm 119:105**, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." It signifies a recognition that human wisdom often fails in navigating life's complex turns. Coupled with this desire for guidance is the earnest petition, "Give me the strength to move on." This acknowledges that knowing the right path is only half the battle; the will and ability to walk it require supernatural fortitude. It’s a direct appeal to the promise found in **Philippians 4:13**, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength," and an echo of **Isaiah 40:31**, where those who hope in the Lord "will renew their strength."
Perhaps the most striking and emotionally charged moment in the song arrives with the invocation, "Eloi Eloi, lama sabachthani." These Aramaic words, meaning "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" are a direct quote from Jesus Christ on the cross (as recorded in **Matthew 27:46** and **Mark 15:34**). In the context of "Give Me Direction," this profound utterance deepens the song's spiritual authenticity and emotional vulnerability. It transforms a simple plea for guidance into a raw cry from the depths of profound distress, demonstrating that even when a soul feels abandoned or overwhelmed by its circumstances – echoing Christ's ultimate suffering – the natural and ultimate recourse is still to call upon God. It legitimizes the feeling of spiritual anguish while simultaneously affirming an unwavering, albeit desperate, faith that directs such cries towards the Divine source of all help. This moment connects the personal struggle to the ultimate act of redemption, suggesting that in our darkest moments, we can share in Christ's experience and still find our voice in addressing the Father.
Ultimately, "Give Me Direction" is a powerful anthem for personal renewal and surrender. It progresses from a state of being stuck in the past to an active, decisive movement towards God's will, underscored by the repeated assertion, "I know the time has come for me." This declaration is not one of arrogance, but of spiritual awakening and readiness, mirroring the transformative promise in **2 Corinthians 5:17**: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Benjamin Dube has crafted more than a song; he has delivered a sincere prayer that resonates deeply with anyone seeking divine intervention to overcome past limitations and embrace a divinely guided future, reminding us that God is always ready to illuminate our path and empower our journey forward.