In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus explains the path to eternal life, where the “gate which is narrow, and the way is hard”. To be a Christian is to suffer or struggle, but in the context that it is through the redeeming work of the cross that we have eternal victory, and therefore any struggles we do have while still alive are mere light momentary afflictions (throwback!).
I won’t lie, from early to mid-May my mental health was struggling really hard, prompting the 2nd half of this song. I contemplated the eternal, infinite sleep, thinking that it would be the better alternative to the hardships and struggles of life. Yet, this is a blatant lie! Our hope isn’t in our circumstances, nor are they in “positive vibes” or sunny dispositions; our hope is in King Jesus, the one who suffered immeasurably more, to the point of even suffering on the cross, for the atonement of sins and freedom from the infinite sleep by rising victoriously over death itself. So no, death isn’t the answer to our struggling.
Go past the jump for the lyrics, to hear/download the song, and a technical bonus.
Enter the Narrow Gate (Infinite Sleep)
Adwin Lam (2019)
Reference: Matthew 7:13-14
I see a path that is wide and easy;
I see a fate where I ultimately die.
I choose the Way that is hard and narrow;
I choose the Life filled with Truth and Light.
Find me the Peace that is like a river;
Find me the field that is vast and green.
Find me the Way that is hard and narrow;
Find me the Gate that brings new life.
Infinite Sleep; I wished that you were sweet. Each thought of you draws me closer…
But you are a lie; an escape from what is Better.
I’ve been set free; I’m chained no longer.
Can I stand to never see the Son again? the Light which shone in all my darkness?
Light drive away the infinite sleep, the eternal extinguishing of my flame.
I will enter through the Narrow Gate.
Technical bonus:
I tried the following new things in this recording:
- Went with a post-hardcore/post-punk style in the opening…I wish I had the vocal strength to scream, but I don’t. I might be a Dallas Green…
- In Tracktion:
- -1 octave applied to clean guitar input to simulate bass
- Varying edit points in the volume curve of the Volume Effect
- If you read this far, you deserve a cookie!