Meredith Andrews - Have To Have Lyrics

Album: Faith and Wonder
Released: 08 Mar 2019

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Lyrics

Lyrics:
Like the branches of a tree
Every limb and every leaf
Every single part of me begins in You
Like an endless symphony
Every note and every beat
My whole life a melody composed by You
My whole life a melody composed by You

I have to have Your presence
I have to know the sound of Your voice
I long to touch the heavens
I don’t want to live without You
I don’t want to live without You

Like the waves upon the shore
Ever reaching out for more
All that I adore is found in You
Just as simple as a child
Longing for the father’s smile
Every moment of my life wrapped up in You
Every moment of my life wrapped up in You

I have to have Your presence
I have to know the sound of Your voice
I long to touch the heavens
I don’t want to live without You
I don’t want to live without You
I don’t want to live without You
I don’t want to live without You

Let Your heart be my heart
Let Your thoughts be my thoughts
Let Your way be my way
I have to have You

I have to have Your presence
I have to know the sound of Your voice
I long to touch the heavens
I don’t want to live without You
I don’t want to live without You

Video

Meredith Andrews - Have To Have (feat. Andrew Holt) [Live]

Meaning & Inspiration

Meredith Andrews’ "Have To Have," released on March 8, 2019, as part of her album *Faith and Wonder*, serves as a powerful declaration of absolute spiritual dependency, resonating deeply within the contemporary worship landscape. This song isn't just a collection of verses; it's a profound prayer, echoing the yearning of a soul anchored entirely in its Creator. From the very beginning, Andrews uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of our inseparable connection to God.

The song opens by likening our existence to the "branches of a tree," where "every limb and every leaf" begins in Him, and then to an "endless symphony," with every note and beat comprising a melody composed by Him. This imagery powerfully conveys that every aspect of our being, from our physical form to the very essence of our life's rhythm, originates from and is sustained by God. It’s a beautiful reflection of truths found in Scripture, where Colossians 1:16-17 reminds us that "in Him all things were created... and in Him all things hold together," and Acts 17:28 states, "for in Him we live and move and have our being." Our lives are not merely given by Him but are continuously authored and held together by His divine hand.

The core of the song manifests in the fervent declaration, "I have to have Your presence, I have to know the sound of Your voice, I long to touch the heavens, I don’t want to live without You." This isn't a casual preference; it's an undeniable spiritual necessity. It speaks to the heart's deepest need for intimacy with God, recognizing that true life and fulfillment are found only in Him. To crave His presence is to echo Psalm 16:11, which proclaims, "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." The desire to "know the sound of Your voice" reflects the shepherd-sheep relationship described in John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." This yearning reveals a profound understanding that life apart from God’s active engagement is utterly hollow and unfulfilling.

Further reinforcing this dependency, the song employs metaphors of "waves upon the shore, ever reaching out for more" and the simplicity of "a child longing for the father's smile." These images beautifully capture the human spirit's relentless pursuit of God and the pure, unadulterated trust that defines a true relationship with Him. Just as waves instinctively surge towards the land, our souls are innately drawn to the divine, seeking Him as the ultimate source of satisfaction, much like the psalmist’s cry in Psalm 42:1, "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God." The "child longing for the father's smile" embodies the humble, dependent faith that Jesus Himself advocated, reminding us in Matthew 18:3-4 that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like little children.

The bridge of the song elevates this plea for intimacy to a prayer of complete surrender and transformation: "Let Your heart be my heart, Let Your thoughts be my thoughts, Let Your way be my way, I have to have You." This is a powerful appeal for alignment, a desire for God's character, wisdom, and purpose to thoroughly infuse our own. It’s a practical application of Romans 12:2, which calls us not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds, so that we may discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. This profound surrender aligns our spirit with the mind of Christ, as described in Philippians 2:5, and seeks to walk in His righteous paths, illuminated by His word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).

Ultimately, "Have To Have" isn't merely a song; it’s an anthem of necessity, a passionate outpouring of a heart that understands its absolute reliance on God. It’s a call for His presence, His voice, and a complete surrender to His will, recognizing that without Him, life lacks meaning and purpose. The song inspires believers to cultivate a deeper, more intentional relationship with their Creator, echoing the timeless truth that God is not just an option, but our very lifeblood, our sustenance, and our greatest longing.