Michael English - Sanctuary Lyrics
Lyrics
My eyes betray me
Reason escapes me
Found myself in the wilderness again
I believe some things
They can never change
It's good to know Your love
Is one of those things
You said that I
Could never wear my welcome out
I come to the sanctuary
I lay down all the weight I carry
Surrendering every single part of me
The One who knows all my secrets
And finding all the broken pieces
You give to me
Give to me another second chance
You go before me
Your hand restores me
In Your light my idols turn to dust
The Spirit is willing
Always reminding
All I have is Your grace and that's enough
I know that I've been here
A thousand times before
I come to the sanctuary
I lay down all the weight I carry
Surrendering every single part of me
The One who knows all my secrets
And finding all the broken pieces
You give to me
Give to me another second chance
It's Your kindness and Your mercy
That brings my innocence to me
And I find myself again
When I fall down at Your feet
I come to the sanctuary
I lay down all the weight I carry
Surrendering every single part of me
The One who knows all my secrets
And finding all the broken pieces
You give to me
Give to me another second chance
I come to the sanctuary
I lay down all the weight I carry
Surrendering every single part of me
The One who knows all my secrets
And finding all the broken pieces
You give to me
Give to me another second chance
Video
Sanctuary
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2008 as part of the album *The Prodigal Comes Home*, Michael English’s "Sanctuary" offers a profound and deeply personal meditation on seeking refuge and restoration in a divine presence. The song’s narrative opens with a raw acknowledgment of human frailty, where eyes “betray” and reason falters, leading the narrator back to a familiar place of spiritual wandering. This wilderness experience, however, is tempered by the unwavering assurance of an enduring love, a core tenet that provides solace. The lyrics articulate a desire to approach this divine sanctuary not with pretense or fear of overstaying one’s welcome, but with complete surrender. The core message revolves around the act of laying down burdens, acknowledging one's secrets and brokenness, and receiving the gift of another chance, echoing the ceaseless grace offered to believers.
The spiritual journey depicted in "Sanctuary" resonates with the biblical concept of finding refuge in God, as Psalm 91 powerfully illustrates: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). The act of laying down one's weight and surrendering every part of oneself is a direct reflection of the biblical call to humility and dependence on God, as Jesus taught in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The sanctuary itself becomes a metaphor for the presence of God, a place where secrets are known and understood, and where brokenness is met with restorative power. This theme is deeply intertwined with the promise found in Romans 8:38-39, which assures believers that nothing can separate them from the love of God. The recurring plea for “another second chance” speaks to the heart of the Gospel, a perpetual invitation to repentance and renewal, mirroring God’s boundless mercy as described in Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
The song further explores the restorative power of divine guidance, with the assurance that God "goes before" and His hand restores. This imagery aligns with the psalmist's declaration in Psalm 23:3: "He restores my soul." The powerful statement that "in Your light my idols turn to dust" speaks to the transformative nature of encountering the divine, where false worship and worldly attachments are dissolved by truth and purity. The acknowledgement that "the Spirit is willing, always reminding, all I have is Your grace and that's enough" encapsulates a profound understanding of spiritual sufficiency, a realization that human effort alone is insufficient, and true fulfillment comes from divine grace. This echoes Paul's sentiment in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" The repetition of having been to this place "a thousand times before" underscores the ongoing nature of spiritual struggle and the consistent need for returning to this sanctuary of grace. The song concludes with a beautiful articulation of how divine kindness and mercy lead back to a state of inner peace and self-discovery, a finding of oneself again when humbled at the feet of the Almighty, a sentiment reflected in the prophet Isaiah's words: "For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength'" (Isaiah 30:15). "Sanctuary" serves as an anthem for anyone seeking a place of unconditional acceptance and the enduring promise of redemption.