Song
Strive to Rest
A song about the strangest paradox in the Christian life: wearing ourselves out striving to earn what God already gave for free. The singer has been climbing a mountain “made of my own two hands,” earning calluses chasing a gift, nodding at “it’s finished” and still running — wanting the crown but not the kneeling, reaching hungry hands toward a table that’s already filled. The chorus cries, “Strive, strive, strive — Lord, just let me rest again.” Then the bridge turns the word inside out: there is a race still worth running — not to earn, but because we’re free; we press on not to reach Him, but because He’s already reaching us. The final chorus lands the resolution — “Now I’m resting and I’m running again” — effort flowing from grace, never toward it. And the outro falls like a benediction: “It was free… it was free… it was free.”
"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."
A song for the road you're on.
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Strive to Rest Dirt Road Gospel Music DirtRoadGospelMusic.com [Verse 1] I been climbing up a mountain Made of my own two hands Trying to earn the water That was flowing since before I ran Got the calluses to prove it Got the sweat to show the cost Chasing something that was given Long before I counted up the loss [Pre-Chorus] Grace don't come from grinding Love don't come from earning But I keep on climbing, keep on climbing Keep the fire burning [Chorus] Strive, strive, strive For the thing He gave for free Strive, strive, strive On my knees is where I ought to be I been running down a gift Like it's something I could win Strive, strive, strive — Lord, just let me rest again [Verse 2] I read the words "it's finished" And I nod and still I run Building altars to my effort Underneath the finished sun I want the crown but not the kneeling Want the peace but not the still Strange how hungry hands keep reaching For a table that's already filled [Pre-Chorus] Grace don't come from grinding Love don't come from earning But I keep on climbing, keep on climbing Keep the fire burning [Chorus] Strive, strive, strive For the thing He gave for free Strive, strive, strive On my knees is where I ought to be I been running down a gift Like it's something I could win Strive, strive, strive — Lord, just let me rest again [Bridge] There's a race that still is worth the running Not to earn but 'cause I'm free Press on, press on toward the calling Not to reach Him — 'cause He's reaching me So I'll strive to know Him better Strive to walk the narrow door Not to buy what love already settled Just to love the One who paid before [Final Chorus] Strive, strive, strive Not to earn it — just to live it free Strive, strive, strive Every step a gift, not a plea I stopped running down the mountain Found He met me where I'd been Strive, strive, strive — Now I'm resting and I'm running again [Outro] Strive, strive, strive Not to earn — just to receive Strive, strive, strive It was free... it was free... it was free