I’ve replayed it like a thousand times, I rewind it in my head
I can tell you that I lost my mind, or what I should’ve done instead
Cause the way that I felt when we parted ways
Got me all in my head, got me countin’ the days
Got me hopin’, got me prayin’
You are in my heart
But what do we do with this space
What do we do with this space between us
How can we start to erase
How can we start to erase this space between us
Would you step across a party line?
Would you walk into my cold cell?
Can you see me in a different light?
Would you meet me at the well?
Cause the way that I feel when you look my way
Got me all in my head, got me starting to think
Is it too far, are we too scarred
Yeah the heart is there, but what do we do with this space
I got nothing but love for you
And I know you feel the same way too
But this space, what do we do with this space between us
It keeps no record, it keeps no record of wrong
Love keeps no record
Love keeps no record of wrong
We’re never too far gone
Music video by TobyMac, Kevin Max, Michael Tait
Space
Space Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on September 28, 2022, TobyMac’s song "Space" emerges from the profound personal landscape of his album *Life After Death*. This track delves into the raw, disorienting experience of navigating deep grief and feeling the need for room to simply exist within that pain, while simultaneously holding onto faith. It captures the feeling of being overwhelmed, where the weight of sorrow makes even the most familiar spiritual terrain feel distant or difficult to access. The song doesn't rush the healing process but acknowledges the messy reality of hurt, portraying a soul wrestling with loss and the unexpected emotional requirements that accompany it.
The central theme revolves around this concept of needing "space"—space to breathe, space to mourn, perhaps even feeling space between oneself and the previous sense of stability or connection. This vulnerability is a powerful expression of the human condition when facing hardship. It speaks to the reality that faith is not a shield against pain, but a source of strength within it, even when that strength feels diminished. Scripture profoundly understands this dynamic; the Psalms, for example, are filled with cries for help and expressions of feeling distant from God (Psalm 22:1, Psalm 13:1-2), yet these laments are themselves acts of faith, bringing honest emotion before the Divine. The song echoes this biblical pattern of bringing one's genuine state to God, acknowledging the struggle without pretending it away.
Analyzing the song further, it resonates with anyone who has experienced significant loss or trials that leave them feeling adrift. It’s a musical articulation of the truth found in verses like Psalm 34:18, which assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. While the song speaks of needing room, it doesn't suggest abandoning faith, but rather finding a way for faith to coexist with the overwhelming reality of sorrow. It subtly points towards the hope that even in moments of feeling lost or needing to withdraw internally, the presence of God remains a foundational truth, even if not immediately felt or understood. This echoes Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," a promise that holds true even when the fog of grief obscures one's perception.
Ultimately, "Space" offers a perspective on resilience not as the absence of struggle, but as continuing to stand, or even just sit, in the midst of it while maintaining a connection, however fragile it might feel, to the source of hope. It’s a testament to the kind of faith described in Hebrews 11:1 – the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The song doesn't offer quick fixes but provides companionship in the difficulty, acknowledging the profound need for grace and patience with oneself during trials. It encourages a posture of honesty before God and others about the real toll that life's storms can take, reminding us that finding our way through hardship often requires making room for the complex process of healing, trusting that God is with us even in the most constricted or lonely spaces of our hearts.
