Colton Dixon - Build a Boat Lyrics
Lyrics
I've been wanderin' through the desert
Ain't seen a cloud in forever over me
But I believe Your rain is comin', mm
Yeah, I've been hangin' onto high hopes
'Cause You're the one who's makin' dry bones come to life
You're the light I put my trust in
Every word You say is gonna come true
You will lead me to the promised land
Everything You say is gonna happen
Even though I haven't seen it yet
I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
And I will stand up in faith, I'll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat in the desert place
And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah
I'll ride the storm 'cause I got You by my side
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat, so let it rain
You're the map, You're my compass
You help me navigate the currents underneath
Take the lead, I surrender
Every word You say is gonna come true
You will lead me to the promised land
Everything You say is gonna happen
Even though I haven't seen it yet
I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
I will stand up in faith, I'll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat in the desert place
And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah
I'll ride the storm 'cause I got You by my side
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat, so let it rain
I'll build a boat, so let it rain
I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains
I will stand up in faith, I'll do anything it takes
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat in the desert place
And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah
I'll ride the storm 'cause I got You by my side
With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades
I'll build a boat, so let it rain
Video
Colton Dixon - Build a Boat [Official Lyric Video]
Meaning & Inspiration
Colton Dixon’s “Build a Boat,” released on April 29, 2022, is a powerful anthem of unwavering faith in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances. The song’s central metaphor of building a boat in a desert, a place where rain is not expected, immediately evokes imagery from the Scriptures, particularly the stories of divine intervention in arid lands and the call to act in faith even when logic dictates otherwise. Dixon crafts a narrative of enduring hope, painting a picture of a spiritual journey marked by a profound trust in a higher power. He describes a period of wandering and barrenness, where “ain’t seen a cloud in forever over me,” but instead of despair, he finds conviction that “Your rain is comin’.” This resonates deeply with passages like Isaiah 41:18, which promises, "I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs of water in the midst of the valleys; I will make the desert land a pool, and the parched ground springs of water." The song then pivots to the act of faith itself, with the declaration, "I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains." This is not a passive waiting, but an active demonstration of belief, akin to Noah building the ark long before the first drop of rain fell, as described in Genesis 6. The commitment to “stand up in faith, I’ll do anything it takes” is a direct echo of the principle that faith without works is dead, a concept found in James 2:17.
The lyrical content consistently points to a reliance on divine guidance and the promise of fulfillment, even when the tangible evidence is absent. Dixon’s acknowledgment that “Every word You say is gonna come true” and “Everything You say is gonna happen / Even though I haven't seen it yet” directly mirrors the assurance given to Abraham in Genesis 15:6: "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." The idea of being led to a "promised land" is a timeless biblical narrative, reminding us of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the land flowing with milk and honey. Furthermore, the imagery of navigating treacherous currents with divine direction, where God is the "map" and "compass," evokes Psalm 23:3, "He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake." The ultimate triumph over adversity is powerfully conveyed in the anticipation of the flood and riding the storm with God’s presence, illustrating the promise in Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." The recurring refrain, "With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades," is a profound declaration of God’s constant support and enduring affection, mirroring the unwavering nature of His love described in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “Build a Boat” is not merely a song; it is a scriptural testament to the transformative power of trusting in God, even when the landscape appears desolate, and a call to action for believers to step out in faith, knowing that with divine partnership, even the impossible can be overcome.