Shine

Sunday morning retuning: Pretty simple challenge Sunday. Right from the words of Jesus. Why is it so difficult for us to obey it?

As our international worker was finishing the sermon Sunday this song popped into my head. I did a quick search on Rhapsody hoping to download it and play it at the end of the service but I ran out of time. I could only remember the chorus:

Shine
Make 'em wonder what you've got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let'em see good works, and then
Let 'em glorify the Lord

Later when I had some time I tracked this down. The song is “Shine” by the Newsboys. Here is a youtube link to them performing this live in Houston last year I think. And here are the words for the verses. They will make you think a bit. I had to think to understand a few of them, and still trying to understand a few more.

Dull as dirt
You can't assert the kind of light
That might persuade
A strict dictator to retire
Fire the army
Teach the poor origami
The truth is in
The proof is when
You hear your heart stop asking,
"What's my motivation?"

And try as you may, there isn't a way
To explain the kind of change
That would make an Eskimo renounce fur
That would make a vegetarian barbecue hamster
Unless you can trace this about-face
To a certain sign... (Chorus)

Out of the shaker and onto the plate
It isn't Karma
It sure ain't fate
That would make a Deadhead sell his van
That would make a schizophrenic turn in his crayons
Oprah freaks
And science seeks a rationale
That shall excuse
This strange behavior

When you let it shine
You will inspire
The kind of entire turnaround
That would make a bouncer take ballet
(even bouncers who aren't happy)
But out of the glare
With nowhere to turn
You ain't gonna learn it on "What's My Line?" (Chorus)

That chorus is based on Matthew 5:14-16. If you are being challenged to shine, read and meditate on that. It will be beneficial to you I am sure.

I am tempted to say more. But I will resist that temptation, for I think you have heard enough for a Tuesday afternoon.

Jesus, You are the Light of the world (John 8:12). And you have made us the light to the world. (Matthew 5:14) Help us to shine.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy