John Mark McMillan - Future / Past Lyrics
Lyrics
You hold the reigns on the sun and the moon
Like horses driven by kings
You cover the mountains, the valleys below
With the breadth of your mighty wings
All treasures of wisdom
And things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past
The constellations are swimming inside
The breadth of your desire
So where could I run, where could I hide
From your heart's jealous fire
All treasures of wisdom
And things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past
You are the beginning and the end
Video
John Mark McMillan - "Future / Past" (Live Performance Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
John Mark McMillan’s "Future / Past," released on September 30, 2014, as part of *The Borderland Sessions* album, isn't just a song; it's a profound declaration of God's omnipresence, sovereignty, and intimate invitation into relationship. From its very first lines, the song immerses us in the vastness of the Creator, painting vivid imagery of a God who holds absolute sway over all things.
The opening verses immediately establish God's staggering power, declaring that He "holds the reigns on the sun and the moon / Like horses driven by kings." This imagery powerfully conveys His divine control over the cosmos, echoing scriptural truths like Psalm 19:1, where the heavens themselves declare His glory, or Colossians 1:16-17, which reminds us that all things were created by Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together. The song continues, describing how God "covers the mountains, the valleys below / With the breadth of your mighty wings," a beautiful picture of His protective presence reminiscent of Psalm 91:4, which promises refuge under His feathers and wings. This portrayal isn't just about raw power; it’s about a God whose vastness extends both to the macrocosm of the universe and the minute details of creation, providing shelter and sustenance.
As the narrative unfolds, the song shifts its focus from God’s dominion to His nature as the source of all knowledge, stating, "All treasures of wisdom / And things to be known / Are hidden inside your hand." This resonates deeply with passages like Proverbs 2:6, asserting that "the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding," and particularly Colossians 2:3, which reveals that "in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." It’s a humbling thought, recognizing that true understanding originates not from human intellect alone, but from the divine. Yet, the most astonishing revelation follows: "And in this fortunate turn of events / You ask me to be your friend." This profound invitation transforms the awe-inspiring Creator into an accessible companion. It brings to mind John 15:15, where Jesus tells His disciples, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends." It is an echo of God speaking to Moses "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11), and the declaration in James 2:23 that Abraham was "called God’s friend." This isn't a casual acquaintance, but an intimate, covenantal friendship offered by the sovereign Lord of all.
The core message crystallizes in the powerful refrain: "You are my first / You are my last / You are my future and my past / You are the beginning and the end." This chorus encapsulates the eternal, immutable nature of God. It directly references the titles used for God and Christ in Revelation 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13—"the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." It’s a confession of faith that positions God not merely as a part of our journey, but as the encompassing reality of our existence, spanning all time. Isaiah 44:6 powerfully declares, "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God," further cementing this divine claim. For the believer, this means God is not confined to moments but is the constant, unwavering presence through every stage of life, from eternity past to eternity future, as Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
The song then returns to the theme of God's boundless reach and fervent love with the lines, "The constellations are swimming inside / The breadth of your desire / So where could I run, where could I hide / From your heart's jealous fire." This imagery expands on His control over creation, depicting the vast cosmos as merely existing within the scope of His will. It directly evokes Psalm 139:7-12, where the psalmist asks, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" The answer is resounding: nowhere. This isn't a fearful pursuit but a loving, inescapable presence. The phrase "heart's jealous fire" is particularly potent. In a divine context, God's jealousy is not a human flaw but an intense, holy zeal for the exclusive devotion of His people, refusing to share their worship with anything else. Passages like Exodus 34:14, stating "the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God," and Deuteronomy 4:24, declaring "the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God," illuminate this truth. It is a passionate, consuming love that desires our whole being, a love that leaves no room for rivals and continually draws us back to Him.
"Future / Past" ultimately delivers a profoundly encouraging message. It invites us to rest in the unwavering sovereignty of a God who is both infinitely vast and intimately personal. It challenges us to fully embrace His role as the Alpha and Omega in our lives, recognizing that all wisdom flows from Him and that His relentless, passionate love actively pursues us. This song is a powerful call to worship, reminding us that the greatest privilege is to be called a friend by the One who holds the reins of the universe, the One who encompasses our entire past, present, and future within His eternal embrace.