Click above to listen to “To and Fro” from album “Unveiled” as you read. If you enjoy the music, please consider supporting by visiting stantonlanier.com, iTunes, or Amazon.
Does the phrase “To and Fro” have a positive, negative, or neutral meaning to you?
It depends on the context of course, but I would say I have a leaning toward the negative. In this case, “to and fro” can mean wandering aimlessly, not being on a firm path, wasting time, like branches blowing “to and fro” in the wind, etc. This was what would come to my mind when I heard “to and fro” for most of my life, but in 2006 my perspective changed when I started composing the melody “To and Fro” for my 5th album “Unveiled.”
I had heard about the verse down below before, but it started to go deeper into my heart that year, and “to and fro” began to take on a positive light. What if, instead of viewing “to and fro” as my wandering, I could see it as God’s directing and supporting my path. I wasn’t thinking about it at the time I photographed the above train at night, but this image can represent my journey down a “track” that represents God’s guidance one step, one railroad tie at a time. God lights my path (i.e. I am in the dark without Him). He equips me and helps me fulfill His calling, plans and purposes for my life. I encourage you to consider this take on “to and fro” as you listen to the music and meditate on the verse below.
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB).
Another version says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (NIV)
What are your main heart commitments? Are you ready to embrace a new kind of “to and fro?”
