Meaning of "East To West" by Casting Crowns

The lyrics of "East To West" explore the theme of forgiveness and redemption. The narrator acknowledges their struggle with their past mistakes and their fear of repeating them. They desperately ask Jesus to show them the vastness of His forgiveness and to keep them from falling back into their old ways. By referencing the distance between the east and the west, the lyrics emphasize the magnitude of God's forgiveness, as east and west are opposite directions that never meet. This indicates that once God forgives, He completely separates the person from their sin.

The song also touches on the daily battle with sin. The narrator describes starting each day with the weight of their past sins and the constant reminder of their failures. They express the difficulty of holding onto God's truth amidst the storms of life, but recognize that it is through His mercy that they find rest.

The lyrics highlight the transformative power of God's forgiveness. The narrator acknowledges that God has washed them white and turned their darkness into light. They recognize that their feelings don't dictate their identity or standing with God; it is the truth revealed in God's word that defines them. They understand that it is not their grip on God that keeps them secure, but rather God's firm hold on them. This speaks to the assurance and comfort that comes from knowing that God is always faithful and will never abandon them.

Overall, "East To West" communicates the deep longing for forgiveness, the struggle with temptation and the need for God's guidance, and the comfort found in God's never-failing mercy and love. It is a reminder of the power of forgiveness to set us free from the chains of our past and bring us into a place of rest and peace.