Read All About It

Read All About It

Read All About It Part III by Emeli Sande
What a great song. I have always appreciated it, but I have been thinking about it in a different light recently. Though a secular song, it can easily be used in a spiritual way. I'm going to break down the lyrics and explain.

You've got the words to change a nation
But you're biting your tongue
You've spent a life time stuck in silence
Afraid you'll say something wrong
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?

We have so much to say. On some level we know the power within us. We know what needs to be done but we're holding back. We are not meant to bite our tongues with the words that God has given us. These words were meant to change our church, our nation, our world.
Sometimes we fear that we will say the wrong thing. Maybe our words will not be in God's will. Maybe someone will be offended. Maybe you will scare someone off. Maybe you will not be liked by someone or by a lot of people. I will say it again; we are not meant to bite our tongues with the words that God has given us! He gave us all a voice to use!

You've got a heart as loud as lions
So why let your voice be tamed?
Maybe we're a little different
There's no need to be ashamed

You've got a heart as loud as lions so why let your voice be tamed? Wow, can anyone say 'powerful lyric?' What is it that the Bible says? From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks? Yeah, that's it! Luke 6:45. I'm giving this a fresh look. What is in your heart determines your voice. If your heart is roaring like a lion, why isn't your voice? Our hearts are not awakened for us to remain asleep. Why are we lions walking around in sheep's skin? As Christians, we are different from the world. At least we should be. We. cannot. be. ashamed! The world needs to hear our roar! Even within the church we get silenced. The beat of my heart may be different from yours. It probably is and that's okay. God gives us each a unique heartbeat so that together we can fulfill each part of His Kingdom.

You've got the light to fight the shadows
So stop hiding it away
Come on, come on

The shadows are large and they are many. But the shadows are no match for the light in our hearts. If you had the cure for AIDS, would you keep it a secret? We succumb to the idea that the small light that we offer cannot possibly make a difference. There is an enormous amount of darkness in the world. If we don't shine any light on it, there will cease to be light. Darkness is simply the absence of light. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe your world is so dark because you have not cast light on it? My neighborhood has streetlights every 100 yards or so. I always notice immediately when one of them is out. I don't know that by looking directly at the source of light. I know it because I see the darkness in the area where there should be light. Darkness makes navigation harder and gives evil an easier time of showing itself. Darkness cannot be where light is present. I admit that I am guilty of blowing the whistle on the shadows when my light is turned off. How can I despair over darkness when I am doing nothing to dispel it? It's time to shut up or shine bright.

If the truth has been forbidden
Then we're breaking all the rules

Oooh, this is a big one. The truth is nearly forbidden in this country. Christians are attacked for believing in truth. So we're breaking all the rules. Outlaws for Christ, baby!

Let's get the TV and the radio
To play our tune again
It's 'bout time we got some airplay of our version of events
There's no need to be afraid
I will sing with you my friend

We once had a voice for God in the media. It is rapidly being stripped away.  Let's speak a little louder. Let's be firm. Let's get back in the media and get them to play our tune of truth again. Our version of events is no longer heard. It's too offensive and exclusionary. No one cares to hear what Christians really think and believe beyond what secular media has to say about us. We have been scared into silence. If we join together we can sing loud and proud and not be afraid.


*Note: This was written long ago, before I learned how the media really works. I made it sound so simple but it's not. There is a good bit on television about Christianity and much of it looks legit. If you look past the surface at the bigger picture you will see that these productions are really meant to discredit Christianity. I found this in my drafts and I have no idea why I didn't post it sooner.