I Wanna Go Back - David Dunn
When I was a kid
I was sure
I could run across the ocean
And I was gonna be an astronaut
When it was You and it was me
I had everything I needed
Faith could even move a mountain top
And then I grew up
And then I got older
Then my life got tough
And we grew apart
I wanna go back
To Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me
For the Bible tells me so
I wanna go back
To this little light
Gonna let it shine
Gonna let it shine
I wanna go back
When I was a kid
I didn't care to keep up with the Jones's
I was just happy that they lived next door
When it was You and it was me
I had everything I needed
Your hands were big enough to hold the world
And then I grew up
And then I got older
Then my life got tough
And we grew apart
I wanna go back
To Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me
For the Bible tells me so
I wanna go back
To this little light
Gonna let it shine
Gonna let it shine
I wanna go back
I wanna go back, back to
Yes, Jesus loves me
Publishing: Songs From the Penalty Box(BMI) Word Music, LLC, Howiecowie Publishing (ASCAP) Be Essential Music, Bentley Street Songs(SESAC)
Writer(s): David Dunn, Benji Cowart, Hank Bentley
At first listen to I Wanna Go Back by David Dunn, I couldn’t help but imagine several scenes from my own childhood. It felt like a trip down memory lane recalling bike rides on dirt paths, playing kick the can with my neighborhood friends, going to Sunday school, and just being an otherwise normal, innocent, everyday kid. I’ve certainly listened to this song dozens of times and it has become an poignant reminder…as we get older and “grow up” there’s so much that we forget.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
I believe Jesus spoke of children and a child-like faith because He knew in our grown-up adult brains, we tend to miss the point. And we miss it a lot. In having 4 boys of my own, I see myself reflecting more and more upon what life looks like through their eyes. The innocence and trust they have. The faith and simple prayers they pray that God hears. And the joy they have in knowing that each day is gonna be ok.
I Wanna Go Back encapsulates all of this in a way that I’ve not heard quite before. There’s a backdrop laid and it’s more than just wishing for the “good ‘ol days” and wanting to be a kid again. Certainly that idea is duly noted…we’d all love to go back and revisit our childhood (most of us anyway). But beyond just returning physically to those moments, there’s a need to return there daily in the perspective of our hearts and minds.
When it was You and it was me
I had everything I needed
Your hands were big enough to hold the world
The faith we have as Christians can often wane because troubles and afflictions beat us down. Life indeed gets tough. Questions bombard us everyday. How will the bills get paid this month? How do I respond to a health concern within my family? What do I do about a wayward son or daughter?
The simplicity of a child-like faith can seem counterintuitive and too basic in those moments. Yes Jesus, but what else? Yes I have faith, but what else do I need? The Gospel can be drowned out by a number of concerns and we can miss the still, small voice because we choose to listen to so many others instead.
People need Jesus. I need Jesus. It’s still that simple.
I Wanna Go Back reminds me that Jesus loves me. I sang it and knew it as a kid. Why as a 40-year adult is it any less true?
This little light, I’m gonna let it shine. Why do I worry about the cares of this life? I’m just going to live for my Savior and trust that He knows perfectly my life and the lives of those around me. He knows exactly what He’s doing and in act of of seemingly careless and reckless faith, I’m just going to trust Him.
Wow. If we lived out the words of this song. If we would truly “go back” and rediscover a child-like faith, how would we look different? How would our marriages and families change? What impact would we have for the Kingdom through our lives, our churches, and our ministries? “Faith could move a mountaintop”…that’s the faith I want to have.
I’m so grateful to David Dunn and the co-writers on this song, Hank Bentley and Benji Cowart. When I had a vision for the More Than A Song concept, this track immediately came to mind. Beyond being a beautifully-written, seriously catchy tune, it has been a life-shaping thought that I’ve needed during this season. It has caused me to “go back” in my own understanding of faith and the reality that God is truly able to do so much more than what I believe He can do. I hope you see that in your life as you examine the Gospel afresh. We must return to the first-love of our hearts and revisit what stirred us in the first place. We must return to Jesus.
In closing, I need to again plug this song with the video below and also mention David’s latest album Yellow Balloons. If you are a fan of Jordan Feliz or love One Republic/Ryan Tedder stuff, you will absolutely LOVE this project. It’s been on repeat in my mini-van!
I love you guys. Have a great week!
Let’s connect:
Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/derekcharlesjohnson
Other "More Than A Song" blogs: Leaning In by Carrollton
