Baby you’re a firework
When times are tough, Katy Perry says look inside yourself, the Bible says look to God
Katy Perry’s “Firework” is a catchy song. The lyrics explore how we can feel pretty weak and vulnerable, buried deep under the pains and strains of life, even feeling like a waste of space. Can you relate?
So what do you do when you feel like this?
Katy Perry’s Advice:
According to the song, you should look within, to the “spark in you” (“it’s always been inside of you, you, you”). “Ignite the light” within and “let it shine”. “‘Cause baby you’re a firework”.
You are a person of great “worth”. You can light up a room and make everyone go “ah, ah, ah!”, leaving “‘em all in awe, awe, awe”.
In other words, Katy is saying “you are special, believe in yourself. You can make a difference. You can take centre stage”.
The Bible’s Advice:
The Bible also explores the fact that we can feel pretty weak and vulnerable, buried deep under the pains and strains of life, even feeling like a waste of space. However, the Bible has a very different solution to this problem. God says that the answer is not to look within. In fact, if you look within, all you will find is evil works, not fireworks (check out Mark 7:21-23).
Rather, the solution is to look out, to God. When you look to God you see how special you really are. You are one of God’s precious, image bearing creations (Genesis 1:26). You are loved with a love that has no equal (John 3:16). Jesus died for you to restore you and enable you to be adopted into God’s eternal family (Ephesians 1:3-6).
In other words, you are special, a person of great worth, not because of anything within you, but because what God has done for you. The answer to life’s heartaches is not to believe in yourself, but to believe in God. The key is not to take centre stage so you can shine. The key is to let God take centre stage and let Him shine through you .
How to really be a star:
Philippians 2:14-16 tells us how to shine for God, not as a firework, but as a star:
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
If you really want to shine through the struggles of life, this is what you must do; stop grumbling and arguing, be blameless and pure and hold firmly to the word of life.
This will not be easy. You will need to ask God, in prayer, for His help. And you will need the help of other Christians to encourage and support you. But you can do it. You can shine for God.
So, baby, are you really a firework?
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