Michael English - Take The Time Lyrics
Lyrics
Each of us has come here
With a story of our own
But we wait in restless silence
So no one ever knows
There is one who sits in loneliness
On the edge of dispair
While another person longs to love
With so much life to share
Someone cannot feel the warmth of love
Through a wall that's built with time
Being burned so often
Makes the heart as cold as ice
There's somebody hurting
From a wound that doesn't heal
And the touch of human hands
Could bring a comfort that is real
Which one are you
Which one are you near
Can you reach across the emptiness
Can you touch the heart of someone here
Take the time
To love somebody
Oh take the time
To show someone you care
Will you have another chance to be
The answer to a prayer
Take the time
We come from different places
And the pain has different names
With different circumstances
But the feelings are the same
If we let down our defenses
And we tear down all the walls
In the center of our souls we find
No differences at all
Which one are you
Which one are you near
Can you reach across the emptiness
Can you touch the heart of someone here
Take the time
To love somebody
Oh take the time
To show someone you care
Will you have another chance to be
The answer to a prayer
Take the time
There's a time when only you will know
When the Spirit speaks within your soul
Dare to reach beyond yourself
And let love go
Take the time
To love somebody
Come on and take the time
To show someone you care
Will you have another chance to be
The answer to a prayer
Take the time
Video
Take The Time
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on February 18, 1992, as part of his self-titled album *Michael English*, the song "Take The Time" stands as a poignant and enduring call to active compassion. Michael English delivers a powerful message that transcends mere sentiment, urging each of us to genuinely engage with the pain and isolation that often define the human experience. The song’s essence lies in its profound invitation to look beyond our own narratives and intentionally connect with those around us, recognizing that a simple act of care can be a profound answer to someone's silent plea.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the human condition, beginning with the universal truth that "Each of us has come here with a story of our own," yet many "wait in restless silence," allowing their struggles to remain hidden. English then portrays individuals teetering on "the edge of despair" or longing to share "so much life" but finding no outlet. This deep empathy extends to those whose hearts have grown "cold as ice" due to past hurts, their spirits shielded by "a wall that's built with time." The song acknowledges the unseen wounds that "doesn't heal," highlighting the desperate need for "the touch of human hands" to bring "comfort that is real." This resonates deeply with biblical understanding, where loneliness and hidden sorrow are acknowledged. Proverbs 12:25 reminds us that "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad," and Psalm 147:3 affirms that God "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." The song powerfully translates this divine concern into a human imperative.
The recurring chorus, "Take the time to love somebody, oh take the time to show someone you care," acts as a direct challenge, not just a gentle suggestion. It questions our readiness to step into another's need: "Will you have another chance to be the answer to a prayer?" This powerful question elevates simple acts of kindness to a divine calling, suggesting that God often works through us to provide comfort and support. This aligns perfectly with the command found in Matthew 22:39, to "Love your neighbor as yourself," and is a tangible expression of pure religion described in James 1:27, which calls us to "look after orphans and widows in their distress." It underscores that true faith is demonstrated not just in belief, but in compassionate action, mirroring the love of God who "first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Further deepening its message, the song addresses the superficial divisions that often separate us. It notes that while "We come from different places and the pain has different names," and despite "different circumstances," the "feelings are the same." The lyrics beautifully articulate the transformative power of vulnerability, suggesting that "If we let down our defenses and we tear down all the walls," then "In the center of our souls we find no differences at all." This insight echoes the New Testament's emphasis on unity in Christ, dismantling barriers of ethnicity, social status, or gender, as stated in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:14 further elaborates that Christ "himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." The song inspires us to transcend perceived differences and recognize the shared humanity and spiritual connection that binds us.
The bridge offers a profoundly spiritual dimension to this call to action: "There’s a time when only you will know when the Spirit speaks within your soul." This line highlights the intimate, personal prompting of the Holy Spirit, urging us to "Dare to reach beyond yourself and let love go." It suggests that our capacity for compassion is divinely inspired and empowered. This act of "reaching beyond yourself" aligns with Philippians 2:3-4, which exhorts us to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." The song culminates in a powerful reminder that our love for others is not merely a human endeavor, but a response to the Spirit's guidance, transforming us into vessels of God’s care. "Take The Time" is far more than a song; it is a timeless sermon set to music, consistently encouraging listeners to embody Christ-like love in a hurting world.