Shine

A few years ago (ahem) when I was in high school, the Newsboys were popular in Christian music circles, and by default, with my friends. I am out of the Christian music loop now, preferring to listen to worship music or secular, so maybe they still are. The other day, my husband made me listen to the local fundamentalist evangelical, erm, I mean the local Christian radio station and they played the Newsboys "Shine". It brought back some memories, let me tell ya.

After the initial nostalgia wore off, I reflected on the lyrics, and while some (most) of it is a bit silly, the following stood out to me.

"Shine. Let it shine before all men. Let them see good works and then, let them glorify the Lord."

Wow. How profound!

So often the message preached from pulpits around the world, we are told, over again that we are sanctified by grace and not by works. And praise God for it! However, what is often missed is that the world does not judge us by the grace given, but by the tangible, the observable, the flesh, our works.

There is a struggle to remain relevant to the world, while embracing holiness. On one hand, the world cannot relate to the straight skirt to the ankle, hair to the butt Christian conservative. However, the world judges the Christian who gives lip service to Christ and goes to church on Sunday, but their beliefs are not evident in their day to day living.

As I've reflected on this the last couple weeks, I initially was down on the up and coming generation. The lack of physical purity, the drunkenness, the lack of modesty, etc. Then I looked around and saw the way my Catholic boss cheats his workers out of their pay by fudging the hours. The way the Baptist housewife gossips about her neighbor. I realized that the lack of holiness is not unique to the younger generation, but is a human problem.

We will never obtain perfection in this life. We cannot hope to, but we must strive for it if we will be a credible witness for Christ. I say this as a sinner. I say this as a woman who struggles with swearing and gluttony. I say this as a woman who is sarcastic by nature and has a temper. While I encourage you, I am accusing myself. The world is watching. The bystander waiting to cross the driveway at the grocery store notices the fish sticker on your bumper as you flip the bird to the person who cut you off. Much to my chagrin, children do listen and imitate our speech.

What does the world see when you dress, walk, talk? Do you shine?