Old hymn inspires human trafficking song for Sara Groves

SINGER/songwriter Sara Groves has released a three-song project, 'To The Dawn: Reimagined'. The title track sprang from Sara's work with International Justice Mission, which advocates for victims of human trafficking. Said Sara, "I have felt compelled for several years to write songs for and about the work of International Justice Mission. I often picture these friends in my mind as I go through my day, and wonder what kind of encouragement they might need. They regularly choose to enter dark places where violence and fear are the norm. They are mothers and fathers themselves who are committed to seeing individuals and families experience flourishing. They are motivated by their faith to participate in the long processes that will transform judicial systems and bring protection for the poor. So, when I was asked to find a song about 'light' for an IJM event, it was a challenge! Many of the songs I found were happy-clappy songs that didn't seem to fit the gravity of darkness, the genuine necessity of light. . . until, I found the hymn 'There's A Light Upon The Mountains'. The original lyric is worth looking up, but the line that caught me was at the end of the second verse, the hearts of men are stirring. Green, envy, terror, violence, meanness - it gets dark, but our hearts are stirred, to the dawn."