Reflection #2 on "Shine" by Newsboys  [song lyrics]

• originally released by solidsounds.org, 05/27/2004
• author: Suzy C.
• scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 1:18, 25; 1 Corinthians 2:14

	From the album "Going Public" (1994) Read the song lyrics...

Oprah freaks
And science seeks
A rationale that shall excuse this strange behavior

Have you ever had someone look at you and say, "I just don't get you?" I have. When you walk by faith in God, those who do not know Him will think you are very strange. They just can't figure you out. You don't get rattled by the little things that come along. And when times get tough and tight, you still seem to have joy and hope. When people mistreat you or take you for granted you act like it doesn't matter. You act like you have secret help and secret information. You seem to have something going for you that others don't. And they are puzzled.

The Bible tells us that the world won't understand us, that people who do not know God will not be able to understand the things of God.

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:18, 25 NASB).

This verse is very blunt; it divides the world into those who are perishing and those who are being saved. When people, sometimes friends and family, look at me with a puzzled expression, I remember this verse. How can you be angry with someone who is perishing?

If it were not so serious it would be comical to see those who do not know God trying to understand Him and His people. Paul said:

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB).

In the song "Shine," the Newsboys sing about the puzzlement of the world, how hard it is for them to understand us and the love that holds us up in tough times. They do not understand the love that compels us to love one another. They don't understand when we forgive, when we refuse to despair, when we seem calm in the storm. They don't know our Lord. We do have "secret information, secret help." But the secret can be found by anyone who will read a book, the Bible.

So don't be discouraged when others don't understand your words or actions. Just hold fast to the Lord and let His love shine.

--Suzy C.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:18, 25; 1 Corinthians 2:14