SHINE, JESUS SHINE

SHINE JESUS SHINE, was written by Graham Kendrick in 1987.  Few Christian songs composed in this generation have had such an immediate impact on congregational singing as Graham’s song.

Graham had been thinking for some time about the holiness of God, and how as a community of believers, God’s desire is for us to live continually in His presence.  Graham, like many today, longed for revival in the churches and a spiritual awakening in the nation.  He also recognized that we cannot stand in God’s presence without ‘clean hands and a pure heart’.

He actually wrote 3 verses for the song and ‘road tested’ it in his home church.  There clearly was merit to the song, but it did not seem complete…so he set it aside.  Several months later, he was asked to submit new songs for a conference song book.  Pulling this song back off the shelf, he realized that what it needed was a chorus.  In his music room with his guitar, the words, "Shine Jesus Shine" came to his mind and within 30 minutes he had finished the refrain.  He sensed a spiritual excitement at the time but had no idea it would become so widely used and recognized.

Genesis tells us that we are made in the image of God.  We are not only like Him…but we reflect His glory.  The warm and powerful light of Jesus Christ shines on each of us.  And we reflect His light to others.  SHINE, JESUS SHINE through me!