DC Talk - Be Lyrics
Lyrics
All in all we're fading
Like a soul lost in the wilderness
We're cold and we're cut off from it
Not knowing where it's gonna end
There's a star in Bethlehem, it's calling you
It's a memory of One who made it
Be, be yourself
There's no one who does it quite like you
Be, no one else
Cause if you don't then who is going to
You're a tribute to the best of us
We follow everybody else
Not knowing what we're made for
The mecca of the insecure
The sign and mark of the popular
There's a new face on the television
It's a new host with the same derision
Be, be yourself
Don't let the losers tell you what to do
Be, no one else Cause if you don't then who is going to
And the time is now
No reason to look back
Just like an infant born
You've got to catch your breath
And I'm learning Father
Yes, and I'm going farther
Be, be yourself
There's no one who does it quite like you
Be, no one else
Cause if you don't then who is going to?
Light the path you're supposed to see
Just like the salt that filters through the need
Like the star that's falling from the sky
Just like the apple of your Daddy's eye
Video
DC Talk - Jesus Freak (Original Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
DC Talk's "Be," featured on their 2009 compilation, *The Ultimate Collection*, is a powerful anthem that resonates deeply with the core of Christian identity and purpose. The song confronts the pervasive sense of societal alienation and confusion, describing a world where people feel "fading" and "cut off," unsure of their direction, much like a soul lost in the wilderness. This imagery immediately calls to mind the Israelites' wandering in the desert, their spiritual and physical disorientation, a state of being removed from God's presence. The lyrics pinpoint the "mecca of the insecure" and the "sign and mark of the popular" as sources of this widespread confusion, highlighting how conforming to transient cultural trends rather than an eternal truth leads individuals astray. This echoes the biblical warning against seeking validation in worldly pursuits, as seen in Jeremiah 17:5, which states, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD." The song then offers a profound counterpoint to this spiritual drift by invoking "a star in Bethlehem," a clear allusion to the guiding star that led the wise men to Jesus, the embodiment of truth and purpose. This celestial beacon represents the divine calling, a memory of the One who provides ultimate grounding and meaning.
The central exhortation of "Be," which is to "be yourself" and "be, no one else," is not a call for mere individualism, but rather an encouragement to embrace the unique, God-given identity that each person possesses. It’s a powerful reminder that our true selves are found in alignment with our Creator. This sentiment is deeply rooted in the understanding that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, as David declares in Psalm 139:14. The lyrics powerfully assert that this authenticity is crucial, asking, "Cause if you don't then who is going to?" This challenge implies a divine mandate for each person to manifest their God-assigned gifts and character. The song’s message is a direct encouragement to step into the unique purpose designed by God, preventing others from having to do what only you can do. This responsibility aligns with the parable of the talents, where servants are commended for utilizing what was entrusted to them (Matthew 25:14-30). The transition from following external pressures to embracing internal truth is framed as a new beginning, like an infant born, requiring a moment to "catch your breath" and embrace a fresh perspective. The songwriter's personal journey of learning and growth, "I'm learning Father, Yes, and I'm going farther," further grounds the message in a relatable process of spiritual maturation. The final lines, likening one's path to "the salt that filters through the need" and "the apple of your Daddy's eye," beautifully encapsulate the essence of living a life that has a positive, purifying influence and is cherished by God. This speaks to the transformative power of God's love and the calling to be a positive influence in the world, reflecting the teachings in Matthew 5:13 about being salt and light.