Donnie McClurkin - As Long As There's You Lyrics

Lyrics

If there were no gates of pearl If there were no streets of gold Say now now If there was no other world And a land where we won't grow old

I'm not thinking about those sights, no Won't be there to enjoy the view, no, no I think heaven will be alright Just as long as you're there As long as there is you Whatever you say now

If I never hear an angel sing In a far off holy land In a far off holy land If I never hear a joy bell If I never hear a joy bell ring Sing a chorus in a Christian band That would be alright

I'm not thinking about the sights Oh, no, no, no Won't be there to enjoy the view Sing now sing I think heaven will be alright Oh sister say Just as long as you're there As long as there is you

I'm not thinking about the sights And I won't be there to enjoy Won't be there to enjoy the view I think heaven, come on I think heaven will be alright Just as long as you're there Just as long as you're there As long as there is you

I'm not I'm not I'm not thinking about the sights I'm sure that they're wonderful Won't be there to enjoy the view I think heaven will be I think heaven will be alright Just as long as you're there As long as you're there As long as there is you As long as there is you

I'm not thinking about I'm not thinking about the sights I'm sure that they're beautiful But I won't be there Won't be there to enjoy the view I think heaven will be I think heaven will be alright Just as long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there

As long as you're there As long as you're right there As long as you're there As long as you're right there As long as you're there As long as you're right there As long as you're there As long as you're right there

As long as you're there As long as I can see you As long as you're there As long as I can touch you As long as you're there As long as I can hold you As long as you're there As long as you're there

As long as you're there I don't need As long as you're there I don't need pearl As long as you're there I don't need As long as you're there I don't need them at all

As long as you're there Just to be whole As long as you're there ...faith As long as you're there Just to As long as you're there In your holy embrace

As long as you're there Just as long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there Just as long as you're there As long as you're right there

Jesus I need you As long as you're there Just wanna see As long as you're there Just wanna touch you As long as you're there Love each other As long as you're there

When we all get to heaven Everybody say What a day of rejoicing that will be Say it When we all see Jesus We will sing and shout victory! Somebody reach your voice and sing and say

When we all get to heaven Get to heaven What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all When we all see Jesus See Jesus We will sing and shout victory!

I'm not thinking about those sights Oh I'm not thinking about them at all Won't be there to enjoy the view I think heaven will be I think heaven will be alright Just as long as you're there As long as you're there Long as there is you As long as there is you

I'm not thinking I'm not thinking about those sights I just wanna see you lord Won't be there to enjoy the view Somebody help me say now I think heaven will be alright Just as long as you're there As long as you're there Just as long as there is you As long as there is you Just as long as there is you

As long as you're there Just wanna see that As long as you're there Just wanna see that As long as you're there Just wanna see As long as you're there

As long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there My saviour As long as you're there My saviour As long as you're there My redeemer As long as you're there My deliverance As long as you're there My salvation As long as you're there Make me victorious

As long as you're there Just wanna sit there As long as you're there Just wanna sit there As long as you're there Just wanna sit there As long as you're there Somebody say Just as long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there As long as you're there

Video

As Long As You Are There - by Donnie McClurkin

Meaning & Inspiration

I spent a long time looking for the wrong things. I wanted the party, the lights, the high off the world, and honestly, I wanted the security of a place where things couldn't break. I was obsessed with the scenery. I figured if I could just get to a place where the pain stopped and the gold started, I’d finally be okay.

But Donnie McClurkin hits a nerve here that makes me shift in my seat. He sings, "I'm not thinking about those sights, no / Won't be there to enjoy the view."

It’s jarring. Most of the stuff I hear in these buildings is about the crowns, the streets, the pearly gates—the rewards. It’s all so glittery. But when you’ve been out in the mud, when you’ve actually felt the cold bite of being on your own, the "view" doesn’t mean much. The scenery is just a backdrop for the ghost of who you used to be.

See, I’ve been rescued. That’s the only way to say it. I didn’t earn it, and I sure as hell didn’t deserve to walk back into the light after how I burned every bridge I stepped on. When you've been rescued, you stop caring about the architecture of the house and you only care about the One who pulled you out of the fire.

McClurkin keeps coming back to this: "Just as long as you're there / As long as there is you."

That’s the Gospel, isn’t it? It’s not about the gold. If it were about the gold, I’d still be lost. Psalm 73:25 feels like the only thing that makes sense after hearing this: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you."

It’s uncomfortable to admit that I don't really want the "things" I used to pray for. I don't want the comfort if He isn't the one sitting next to me. The Prodigal doesn't come home for the inheritance; he comes home because he’s finally realized that his father’s presence is the only thing that actually fills the hole in his chest.

There’s still smoke on my clothes. I still have the habits that don't fit in the pews, and the theology I have is messy and raw. I don't have the "proper" language down yet. But listening to this, I realize I don't need to. I just need to be where He is. The sights can burn for all I care. I just need to see the face of the One who met me on the road when I was still a wreck. That’s enough. It has to be enough.