Joel Vaughn - Far Away Lyrics
Lyrics
So many nights where I can barely sleep,
The world alive, but I can't find my peace,
I feel like you're so far away from me.
I know the joy of you inside my heart,
I see the grand design and all the stars,
But I can't help but feel the distance.
Why is the moon so
Far away, Far away,
I feel so small in all you are.
Far away, Far away,
I feel so small in all you are.
I can't reach the stars.
I can see the galaxys at night,
And in the void of space, they shine so bright,
I get the sense there's more than you and I.
Now this disease of self draws me further in,
'Till I'm crippled by the weight of sin,
You took it all upon yourself
And you sent it
Far away, so far away,
It's further than the edge of space.
Far away, so far away,
It's further than the edge of space.
You're takin' it all away.
Cause you and I were made for so much more.
As your world collides, see the beauty that's in store.
He's not far away, far away,
Our hope is here, amazing grace.
Far away, far away,
Our hope is here, amazing grace.
Amazing grace.
Video
Joel Vaughn - "Far Away"
Meaning & Inspiration
Joel Vaughn’s "Far Away," released on March 17, 2016, immediately resonates with the profound human experience of spiritual disconnect, even for those rooted in faith. The song courageously explores the universal struggle of feeling distant from God despite intellectual or experiential knowledge of His presence. It begins by painting a picture of restlessness, a soul unable to find peace in a vibrant world, articulating the poignant sentiment, "I feel like you're so far away from me." This initial vulnerability sets the stage for a deeply introspective journey, acknowledging the beauty of creation and the "grand design," yet confessing a persistent feeling of separation. This echoes the laments found throughout the Psalms, where figures like David cry out, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1). It's a raw and honest admission that even with faith, moments of doubt and a sense of God's inaccessibility can surface.
The lyrics expand on this feeling of smallness when confronted with the immensity of the universe, asking, "Why is the moon so far away? I feel so small in all you are." This isn't merely a reflection on astronomical distance, but a spiritual one, where the vastness of creation, meant to point to a magnificent Creator, can paradoxically make an individual feel insignificant and unable to bridge the gap to the divine. This sentiment is often explored in Scripture, reminding us of God’s incomprehensible majesty, as seen in Job 38-41, where God’s questioning of Job about creation highlights humanity's limited understanding. Yet, Scripture also counters this feeling of insignificance with God’s intimate care for His creation, as Psalm 8:3-4 declares, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers... what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" Vaughn captures both sides of this coin, the awe-inspiring distance and the underlying yearning for connection.
The song then pivots dramatically, moving from a perceived external distance to an internal one, identifying the true source of separation. "Now this disease of self draws me further in, 'Till I'm crippled by the weight of sin." This line is a powerful theological statement, recognizing that it is not God who is truly "far away," but humanity’s own brokenness and self-centeredness that create the chasm. This aligns perfectly with Isaiah 59:2, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." It’s a profound moment of self-awareness, acknowledging personal responsibility for the spiritual distance experienced. This vulnerability leads directly to the core of the Gospel message, a declaration of God’s radical solution: "You took it all upon yourself and you sent it far away, so far away, it's further than the edge of space." This is a beautiful portrayal of the atonement, where Jesus, through His sacrifice, carries the burden of sin and removes it to an unimaginable distance, echoing Psalm 103:12, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
The transformative power of grace culminates in a message of hope and restoration. The repeated phrase shifts from an lament to an affirmation: "He's not far away, far away, Our hope is here, amazing grace." This powerful resolution is a testament to the finished work of Christ, which collapses the perceived distance and brings us near to God. Ephesians 2:13 confirms this: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." The journey from alienation to intimacy, from despair to hope, is entirely rooted in "amazing grace"—God’s unmerited favor. Vaughn reminds us that our true purpose is found in this restored relationship, proclaiming, "Cause you and I were made for so much more." This is a call to step into the abundant life promised by God, to recognize the beauty that is "in store" when we allow His world to collide with ours, transforming our understanding of His closeness and unwavering presence. "Far Away" is not just a song; it's a spiritual narrative that guides the soul from the depths of human longing and sin to the soaring heights of divine love and redemption, making it a compelling anthem for anyone navigating their faith journey.