On Fire: Switchfoot – The Ultimate Gift (2007) music video
Inspiration Behind On Fire:
This Switchfoot song was featured in the movie the Ultimate Gift. Jason Stevens plays a character who is given a series of tests to pass by his deceased grandfather. On this journey, Jason behinds Emily, a girl dying of cancer. The lyrics of On Fire explore themes of spiritual growth, resiliency and how faith can transform your life. On Fire is symbolic of passion and enlightenment as you face serious challenges in life.
Biblical Application:
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.
Exegesis of On Fire:
They tell you where you need to go
Tell you when you need to leave
They tell you what you’ll need to know
Tell you who you need to be
The opening stanza reminds me a visiting a hospital. Depending upon the diagnosis, doctors will prepare patients and family members of what to expect and how to be supportive.
But everything inside you knows
There’s more than what you’ve heard
There’s so much more than empty conversations
Filled with empty words
However, when you are told, someone is going to die, it’s much harder to grasp. Knowing what to say and how to say is much more complicated.
And you’re on fire when he’s near you
You’re on fire when he speaks
You’re on fire
Burning at these mysteries
Jason is trying to console Emily’s mom.
Give me one more time around
Give me one more chance to see, yeah
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be near you, yeah
Jason is hoping for another chance to be strong and supportive.
When everything inside me looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I’ll take
In the film the Ultimate Gift, Jason grow up a spoiled brat, hating the person he had become. Meeting Abigail has helped change Jason.
When I’m on fire when you’re near me
And I’m on fire when you speak
And I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries
Mysteries
Mysteries
Some people are just easy to talk to. The fire reference could also be the presence of the Holy Spirit who fills someone with words to say when there are uncertain and unsure.
(You’re on fire)
(You’re on fire)
(You’re on fire) I’m standing on the edge of me
I’m standing on the edge of me
I’m standing on the edge of me
I’m standing on the edge of me
I’m standing at the edge of everything I’ve never been before
And I’ve been standing at the edge of me
Standing on the edge
When two strangers come together, sometimes they are the perfect complement to each other. In the music video, Jason is trying to figure out what to do, he finds old letters written to him by his grandfather.
And I’m on fire when you’re near me
And I’m on fire when you speak
Yeah, I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries
These mysteries
These mysteries
Yeah, your mystery, yeah
You’re a mystery
The mystery is Jason’s pain of his father dying in a plane crash while working for his grandfather. Yet, the more Jason learns from his dead grandfather, the more he is prepared to help Abigail as she faces the thoughts of her daughter Emily dying of cancer. This fire (passion) will bring a light of hope to those facing a dark future.
Final Thoughts:
One of my best friends from high school died of cancer before reaching her 20th birthday. This painful loss led me to become a youth pastor after graduating college. The fire that burned within me was to lead lost souls, struggling with everyday life by pointing young men and women toward eternal security, 1 John 5:12-13. Although I had my ups and downs, being a high school teacher for a decade also allowed me to communicate valuable life lessons to prevent my students from making the same mistakes that I did when I was their age. This is the passion that flows from the lyrics of On Fire.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 