Veil with Turn Your Eyes
I wrote this song several years ago and it has taken on new meaning for me over the years. Some of the words sprung into my mind as I was reflecting yesterday on the reality of the unseen.
(For my former reflections on the song, see here: https://www.tamaradreger.com/blog/veil-songs-that-speak-series )
The ‘veil’ is mentioned many times throughout the Bible, in both figurative and literal ways.
There was a veil in the Jewish Temple that separated the rest of the temple from the ‘Holy of Holies’, the space where only the Priest could enter. It was the place where it was believed that the Presence of the Lord dwells. Natural incense burned in the Holy of Holies and when in this place, priests often met with angels unexpectedly and received visions from the Lord.
When Jesus died his natural death and the world went dark, the thick veil in the temple was miraculously torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50,51)
This both figuratively and symbolically gave everyone access to the Presence of the Lord.
I ask in this song, “when will this veil be removed?” This question represents a longing for something more . . . To live completely, without inhibition, in a life fully immersed in God’s Presence . . . For all barriers to be removed, to truly see.
The reality is, the veil has already been removed. Access to the fullness of God’s presence and visions and true seeing is available. May we live in this reality.
A lot of death here disguised as life
A lot of darkness disguised as light
So there's a wide open space for deceit
To run rampant and to run free
Things that are broken appear to be whole
Dressed up in wisdom, but really a fool
Light that is truly light too easily extinguished
Light from the darkness so hard to distinguish
False hope fails
and glimpses of hope
find their place behind a veil
Break through the death
Break through the darkness
There is nothing left without what's true
Piece together all that's broken
Peace to overcome what's hopeless
When will this veil be removed?
A lot of walls here that keep us apart
Separation between our mind and heart
Open wide a new space and release
Runners to run and to run free
Shadows scatter, there's nowhere to hide
Face to face and brought back to life
Hearts that were made of stone and plagued by condemnation
Now have been chiseled through and found some affirmation
Life that's truly life
When the veil is removed
and faith becomes sight
Break through the death
Break through the darkness
There is nothing left without what's true
Piece together all that's broken
Peace to overcome what's hopeless
When will this veil be removed?
When you turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
Break through the death
Break through the darkness
There is nothing left without what's true
Piece together all that's broken
Peace to overcome what's hopeless
When will this veil be removed?
In the light of his glory and grace
In the light of his glory and grace
Removed in the light of his glory and grace