Steven Curtis Chapman - Michael And Maria Lyrics
Lyrics
Michael and Maria we can’t wait to see your faces
We already miss you more than words can say
I know we’re only separated from you by a thin veil
But it feels like we’re a million miles away
We didn’t really know how much we loved you ‘til we lost you
I know we didn’t really lose you
That’s just how it looks from here
But right now if we’re all honest we don’t like God’s higher ways
But we are trusting Him ‘cause what else can we do
And He is holding us while He is holding you
So Michael and Maria, we’ll see you soon
Michael and Maria someone said they thought they saw you
Giving names to babies this world never knew
I’m sure by now you’ve found your Great Grandparents
And some friends like Dave and Erin
I bet you’ve met Moses too
We never knew how much our hearts could hurt until we lost you
I know we didn’t really lose you
That’s just how it feels down here
Right now it seems we’ll never understand God’s higher ways
But we are trusting Him until the day we do
And He will carry us just like He carries you
So Michael and Maria, we’ll see you soon
Oh, this is a long hard journey
We travel in the blink of an eye
Oh, without this Hope we have in Jesus
There’s no way on earth we could survive
We never would survive
No we didn’t really know how much we loved you ‘til we lost you
I know we didn’t really lose you
That’s just how it looks from here
Right now it seems we’ll never understand God’s higher ways
But we are trusting Him until the day we do
And He will carry us just like He carries you
And if we believe His promises are true
Michael and Maria, I know we’ll see you soon
Gonna see you soon
I know we’ll see you soon
Video
Steven Curtis Chapman - Michael and Maria (Official Pseudo Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on September 27, 2013, as part of the album *The Glorious Unfolding*, Steven Curtis Chapman’s "Michael And Maria" stands as a poignant testament to the enduring power of faith in the face of unimaginable loss. This song is more than just a musical composition; it's a deeply personal lament and a vibrant declaration of eternal hope, born from the raw experience of a parent grappling with the death of a child. While the names "Michael and Maria" may serve as a tender placeholder for any child lost too soon, the song resonates with the profound grief Chapman and his family experienced, particularly after the passing of his daughter, Maria Sue. It courageously pulls back the curtain on the heart's most vulnerable moments, offering an honest portrayal of sorrow intertwined with an unwavering trust in God's divine plan, even when that plan feels incomprehensible.
The core of "Michael And Maria" lies in its empathetic portrayal of grief, articulating the sentiment that "we didn't really know how much we loved you ‘til we lost you." This honest admission reflects a universal truth about loss, how the sudden absence of a beloved person can illuminate the immeasurable depth of their presence in our lives. The lyrics navigate the agonizing reality of separation, describing it as being divided by a "thin veil," a poignant metaphor for the unseen boundary between this earthly existence and the heavenly realm. It acknowledges the natural human inclination to feel a million miles away from those who have passed, even while holding to the spiritual truth of their continued existence. The song courageously gives voice to the struggle with divine providence, confessing, "if we’re all honest we don’t like God’s higher ways." This vulnerability is crucial, offering solace to those who feel guilt over questioning God during their suffering. It reminds us that faith isn't the absence of doubt or pain, but the commitment to trust even when understanding eludes us, echoing Job's wrestling with God's sovereignty amidst his trials (Job 13:15).
Yet, amidst this profound sorrow, the song radiates an undeniable hope anchored in biblical promises. Chapman tenderly imagines his children in heaven, meeting cherished family and friends, and even figures like Moses, painting a vivid picture of the communion of saints that awaits believers. This imagery aligns with the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:8, assuring us that to be "absent from the body" is to be "present with the Lord." The conviction that God is "holding us while He is holding you" serves as a profound comfort, illustrating God’s intimate care for both the grieving and the departed. This echoes Psalm 34:18, which tells us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The song transitions from the pain of earthly separation to the certainty of heavenly reunion, built upon the foundation of God's faithfulness.
The enduring strength of "Michael And Maria" lies in its unwavering declaration that "without this Hope we have in Jesus, there’s no way on earth we could survive." This central message underscores the Christian understanding of hope, not as a mere wish, but as a confident expectation rooted in the resurrection of Christ. It speaks to the transformative power of the Gospel, which turns despair into perseverance and sorrow into a hopeful anticipation of eternity. The journey of grief is acknowledged as "long hard," but the path is illuminated by the assurance of Christ’s presence, as promised in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." The repetition of "we are trusting Him until the day we do" (understand His higher ways) and "if we believe His promises are true" encapsulates the essence of faith—walking forward even when the way is unclear, relying on the character of God rather than our limited perception. Ultimately, the song culminates in the triumphant refrain, "Michael and Maria, I know we’ll see you soon," a powerful affirmation of the Christian belief in the bodily resurrection and the joyful reunion of believers in God's eternal presence, as depicted in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. It is a song that not only validates the depths of human grief but also points with radiant conviction to the unwavering hope found only in Jesus Christ.