I think it’s time for a Throwback Thursday.
Other things this Lenten season has taught me, is that whilst I love new releases from Christian artists, I do tend to gravitate back to the ones from a little while ago. Especially if I’m looking for something that will really hit the spot.
One of those is Generations by Sara Groves. In reality, the entire album, Conversations which it is from is ‘one of those’.
This album from 2001 still trots it out, strong.
I love the song, Generations for lots of reasons. Musically it works for me, but lyrically it’s even better.
The song is a reflection, clearly penned by a woman considering herself a ‘Daughter of Eve’. This being not a Narnian thing, but a ‘I am likely to sin at any moment’ thing.
Because we all are.
Thinking otherwise is to only fool ourselves.
Generations parks each of us as one of many in the long line of humanity post Adam and Eve, who are living in a fallen world as active sinners themselves.
However, what I like about what Groves does here, is that she doesn’t languish in self-pity, or defensiveness but rather her right understanding of her own sinfulness leads to righteous conviction.
Conviction that there is a lot weighing on her making the right, or righteous decision.
Every moment. Every day.
Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
We are more powerful than we realise. Groves makes this clear in a very humble manner. And her aim is noble:
To my great, great, great granddaughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grandson
Live in peace
Instead of being someone who aims to selfishly sin, this song turns it around reflecting on how our choices can lead to blessings, not burdens and peace, not pigheadedness for those who come after us.
For those we will never know.
It’s a powerful song with humble awareness, yet triumphant, at the same time.
Perhaps that’s why it’s still going strong.
Yours considering the generations,
Alison
I can taste the fruit of Eve
I’m aware of sickness, death and disease
The results of our choices are vast
Eve was the first but she wasn’t the last
And if I were honest with myself
Had I been standing at that tree
My mouth and my hands would be covered with fruit
Things I shouldn’t know and things I shouldn’t see
Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
She taught me to fear the serpent
I’m learning to fear myself
And all of the things I am capable of
In my search for wisdom, acceptance and wealth
And to say that the devil made me do it
Is a cop out and a lie
The devil can’t make me do anything
When I’m calling on Jesus Christ
Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace, oh, live in peace
Oh, remind me
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
Oh, I may never know
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Sara Groves
Generations lyrics © Music Services, Inc
