It feels like forever since I can remember
It seems like it’s always been this way
Keep the good news to ourselves, like a secret we’ll never tell
I don’t know why we’ve been so ashamed

But changes are in the air, sparks are starting everywhere
And oh, what a sweet, sweet sound
With millions of voices, singing new choruses
Leading the way to higher ground

Keep on, keep on shinin’
Wherever you may be
Keep on, keep on shinin’
For all the world to see

Having faith in the long run is easier said than done
It’s hard to live out in the light of day
You’re bruised and you’re battered, your dreams have been shattered
Your best laid plans scattered over the place

Despite all your tendencies, God sees it differently
Your struggle’s a time to grow
And you, you’re a miracle, anything but typical
It’s time for the whole wide world to know

Words by Mark Lee / music by Third Day / © 2005 Consuming Fire Music (ASCAP). All rights administered by EMI CMG Publishing.

Behind the Song:
When we first started touring, it was a rare Sunday that we would be able to attend our home churches. As we've attempted to balance our home and road lives over the last couple of years, we've made a point not only to attend church whenever we get the chance, but to be actively involved in what's going on. If you've been remotely paying attention, it's pretty apparent that God has been doing some cool things through the church over the last couple of years. This song is a song of encouragement to the church, both as a whole and to the average guy sitting in the pew on Sunday morning. The first verse focuses on the church at large. I recently read a book by Hugh Hewitt called 'The Embarrassed Believer' (the other guys are probably tired of hearing me talk about it by now, but trust me - it's really good). In it, he points out that there are literally millions of people attending church on a given week and that the culture should be feeling the effects of that. In the years since the book was published, we've seen many brave souls look for new ways to take the Gospel beyond church boundaries. This is where the 'millions of voices singing new choruses' line comes into play. But sometimes it's 'easier said than done.' Life happens. Things don't work out like we planned. Like John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you're making other plans. It's easy at times like these to beat ourselves up and throw in the towel. But if we could see ourselves as God sees us, we'd see that we don't give ourselves nearly enough credit. In God's eyes, we're 'a miracle, anything but typical.' Faith is a response to God's love for us. When you realize that He sees us in that light and loves us unconditionally, it makes you want to 'keep on shinin' wherever you are or whatever you're going through.' – Mark Lee (Third Day)