The song "Past The Wishing" by Sara Groves tells the story of a person who realizes that their wishes and desires are not enough to bring about change in their life. They express a longing to be closer to Jesus and to have a stronger faith, but they confess that they often lack the motivation to take action. The lyrics describe standing at the foot of a mountain, symbolizing a goal or aspiration that seems unattainable. The person wishes to reach the sky, representing a desire for something greater or divine. However, instead of taking steps towards their desires, they remain stagnant and never try. They acknowledge that they wish to be closer to Jesus, but their longing is not strong enough to motivate them to take action, such as waking up early for prayer. They are caught up in the fast-paced nature of their life and allow it to consume them, rather than prioritizing their spiritual growth. The song then shifts to the idea of saving money for something that lasts. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for investing in eternal things rather than temporary desires. The person acknowledges that they have seen signs from God, represented by the man from Macedonia, calling them to go further and pursue their calling. However, they are tired of simply wishing and hoping for it to happen and desire to turn their wishes into reality. In the final lines of the song, the person declares their determination to take action. They no longer wish to go, be, or do something, but they are actually going, being, and doing. They rely on the grace of God to empower them to step beyond wishing and into action. Overall, "Past The Wishing" is a reflective and introspective song about the struggle between longing for change and finding the motivation to pursue it. It encourages listeners to move beyond mere wishing and to actively pursue their aspirations and desires with the help of God's grace.
