Even as the coals burn bright

# Even As the Coals Burn Bright

**Verse 1:**
Quarters in my pocket, detergent in my hand
Seventy-four year old stranger in a fluorescent land
We'd talk between the cycles, small mercies, passing time
Then I asked the question that drew the battle line

**Verse 2:**
"I've lived without Him this long," he said, "don't need Him now"
And something rose inside me, broke through some sacred vow
The words fell out like thunder, couldn't pull them back inside:
"He'll love you even burning," and something in him died

**Chorus:**
How many walk away from open arms?
How many choose the dark over the light?
How many break the heart that's breaking for them
Even as the coals burn bright, even as the coals burn bright?

**Verse 3:**
He paced those aisles like cages, his anger wore a groove
Found myself a washer, found myself a reason not to move
But late at night I wonder, was it truth or was it pride?
Did I speak the words of warning, or just push him further from the tide?

**Verse 4:**
We're all just washing stains out, trying to come clean
Some find grace inwater, some refuse to be redeemed
And somewhere Christ is weeping for the ones who turn away
The ones He'll judge tomorrow are the ones He's calling still today

**Chorus:**
How many walk away from open arms?
How many choose the dark over the light?
How many break the heart that's breaking for them
Even as the coals burn bright, even as the coals burn bright?

**Bridge:**
Love and judgment, mercy, justice
Meeting at the throne
Every soul that's lost forever
Breaks the heart of God alone

**Final Chorus:**
Oh, how many walk away from open arms?
How many choose the dark over the light?
How many break the heart that's breaking for them
Even as the coals burn bright
Lord, even as the coals burn bright

American folk country Acoustic guitar light violin
Female voice