Chris Howland - Holding Me Down Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I can always find You right where You said You would be
You have opened the door and You welcome my entry
I'm sorry, Lord, I left it unkept for this long
But when I come back, it's like I never left home
Chorus
You are always in Your dwelling place
You are always beckoning I stay
Ooh, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Verse 2
I can always find You, it is a simple quest
Here in this bright room I find quiet and rest
All of my shame disappears with the wind
I delight in, in, I'm delighted in
Chorus
You are always in Your dwelling place
You are always beckoning I stay
Here I am, wrapped in the purest of loves
Why did I hide away for so long?
You are always in Your dwelling place
You are never far away
I unpack my bags that I had for the road
I'll stay here at home
I'll stay here at home
Video
Chris Howland X Montell Fish X Sarah Juers - Holding Me Down
Meaning & Inspiration
Chris Howland's "Holding Me Down," released on May 11, 2018, as part of "Holding Me Down (The Remixes) - Single," is a profound exploration of returning to a place of unwavering divine presence and acceptance. The song's narrative centers on the realization that God's dwelling place, His constant embrace, is always accessible, a truth the singer has rediscovered after a period of distance. This isn't merely a thematic observation; it's a deeply personal confession and subsequent joyous repatriation. The opening verses paint a picture of a traveler returning home, finding the door not just open but with a welcoming embrace, a stark contrast to the often-difficult journey that led them away. This echoes the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), where the father's unconditional love and immediate acceptance are met with the son's regret and newfound understanding. The lyrics reveal a sincere apology for neglecting this sacred space, yet the overwhelming comfort found upon return suggests a grace that instantly erases the years of absence, much like how God's forgiveness is described as casting our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
The chorus solidifies this central theme: God is perpetually present in His dwelling, inviting us to remain. This constancy is a cornerstone of our faith, a reassurance found throughout Scripture. The "bright room" mentioned in the second verse can be interpreted as the spiritual clarity and peace that comes from being in God's presence, a sanctuary where the burdens of shame and worldly anxieties dissipate like morning mist. The line, "All of my shame disappears with the wind," powerfully conveys the cleansing and restorative nature of God's love, mirroring the promise in Isaiah 1:18: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool." The singer's declaration of being "delighted in" is a beautiful articulation of experiencing God's affirmation, moving beyond mere forgiveness to a place of cherished belonging. The final lines, where the singer unpacks their bags, signifying a permanent decision to stay, underline the transformative power of realizing this steadfast, loving home in God. It’s a surrender to the ultimate refuge, a testament to the enduring call to abide in Him, as Jesus Himself exhorted: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). "Holding Me Down" is ultimately an anthem of homecoming, a celebration of the unshakeable anchor of divine love that consistently draws us back, no matter how far we may have strayed.