Nichole Nordeman - Fool For You Lyrics
Lyrics
There are times when faith
And common sense do not align
When hardcore evidence of you
Is hard to find
And I am silenced in the face
Of argumentative debate
And it's a long hill
It's a lonely climb
'Cause they want proof
They want proof of
All these mysteries I claim
'Cause only fools would want
To chant a dead man's name
Maybe it's true, yeah, but
I would be a fool for you
(A fool for you)
All because you asked me to
A simpleton who's seemingly na
Video
Fool For You
Meaning & Inspiration
Nichole Nordeman's "Fool For You," released on March 6, 2007, as part of her "Recollection - The Best of Nichole Nordeman" album, presents a profound and courageous exploration of what it means to live by faith in a world that often demands tangible proof. The song dives headfirst into the uncomfortable tension many believers experience: the clash between spiritual conviction and the insistent clamor of human reason and logic. It tells the story of an individual confronting the skeptical arguments of a world that questions the very existence of God, especially when "hardcore evidence of you is hard to find." This often leaves the believer "silenced in the face of argumentative debate," feeling that maintaining faith is a "long hill, a lonely climb." The underlying narrative speaks to the universal struggle of holding onto intangible truth when surrounded by those who "want proof" for all the "mysteries" of faith, dismissing spiritual adherence as irrational, even going so far as to suggest "only fools would want to chant a dead man's name."
The song then pivots with breathtaking honesty and conviction, transforming the accusation of foolishness into a bold declaration of devotion. Nordeman, through her lyrics, bravely embraces the label of "fool" for Christ, not as a resignation, but as a deliberate and consecrated choice. This act of naming oneself a "simpleton who's seemingly naïve" is a powerful echo of Pauline theology, particularly found in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Paul repeatedly speaks to the paradox that what the world considers wisdom, God deems foolish, and what the world sees as foolishness, God uses to confound the wise. As we read in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." And again in 1 Corinthians 1:25, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." Nordeman's lyrics perfectly encapsulate this scriptural truth, accepting the world's derision because the call to follow comes directly from the divine, stating simply, "All because you asked me to."
This song is a deep dive into the nature of spiritual discernment, reminding us that the things of the Spirit are often inscrutable to the unspiritual mind, as 1 Corinthians 2:14 states, "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." It's an anthem for those who choose to trust in the Lord with all their heart, refusing to lean on their own understanding, as exhorted in Proverbs 3:5-6. The message is incredibly inspiring for anyone who has felt the pressure to justify their faith with empirical evidence, providing solace and strength in the knowledge that faith, by definition, is "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). It champions the blessedness of those who believe without seeing, a sentiment Jesus himself expressed to Thomas in John 20:29. "Fool For You" transcends mere musical expression; it becomes a rallying cry for believers to stand firm in their convictions, embracing the divine wisdom that often appears as folly to the world, and finding profound peace and purpose in their surrendered obedience to Christ's call.