The talented music artist Naomi Raine is down-to-earth; a fun-loving, wife and mom of three children: Apryl, Kayden, and Savion. When she isn’t busy being a secret chef, she’s serving as a Worship Pastor at Fresh Start Christian Center in Mount Vernon, New York.
One of Naomi’s joys is singing with her new-found family, worship band Maverick City Music, which has taken the world by storm. Together, Maverick City Music has touched generations of people and has been widely recognized as a group of artists who are leading the masses to the heart of God.
As a member of Maverick City Music, Naomi has earned multiple music industry awards from Billboard, Dove, Stellar, and Grammy. She is featured on songs such as “Story I’ll Tell,” the award-nominated “Jireh,” and the hit, “Promises.” Naomi had the pleasure of making her film debut in “Christmas with The Chosen” with Maverick City Music.
The artist has captivated me with her latest solo album, Journey, as it features her unique brand of gospel-infused R&B-style music, embedded with the truth of the Gospel for those "with ears to hear."
This upcoming album is loaded with positive grace-filled messages of hope. Her songs address the pressures of life, and she understands that true happiness and her identity only come from her relationship with God. I can’t get enough of Naomi’s thought-provoking songs. I had the chance to speak with her about one of my top “gourmet” songs of the year, “World on Fire.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“World On Fire” was written initially after I found it from a friend, and we went back and rewrote parts of it together. This song is about the social unrest and the protests that took place during the pandemic. I was so inspired and moved when I first heard the song. When I went to write a second verse, I felt like I should talk about the internal and the external world we live in.
The beginning of the song illustrates how our world is on fire. The second verse is about the internal struggle and the internal fire that many of us faced staying in our homes for safety from the pandemic.
A home is a place we’re supposed to feel safe, but, during the pandemic, we were basically trapped there—and not by choice. People lost their jobs and got low on money and food. Not to mention our social interactions were limited.
For some of us, going to work is how we stayed sane. And let’s not forget some people were having personal issues at home. Some found connections, others lost them, and some lost loved ones and had to grieve alone.
This song is about the world on fire outside and inside. There’s a fair assessment that many of us make that that the world being on fire is bad. The song says, not everything is fair in love and war.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
2 Timothy 1:6(AMP): "That is why I would remind you to stir up, rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning the gracious gift of God, the inner fire that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands with those of the elders at your ordination."
Ephesians 6:13-17(VOICE): “And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: So, you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground. Yes, stand--truth banded around your waist, righteousness as your chest plate, and feet protected in preparation to proclaim the good news of peace. Don't forget to raise the shield of faith above all else, so you will be able to extinguish flaming spears hurled at you from the wicked one. Take also, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
2 Corinthians 10:2-5(NIV): “I beg you that when I come, I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world; we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
John 10:10(ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Philippians 4:7(NKJV): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 3:5-6(NKJV): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Psalm 37:4-5(NIV): “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this.”
Psalm 33:20-22(MSG): “We’re depending on God; He’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own His holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got—that’s what we’re depending on.”
James 4:14(NKJV): “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
What is the takeaway message?
When things burn in a fire, it gives us a chance to start over and experience newness. The song asks the question and poses it for contemplation and thought. It may mean something different for every person depending on their viewpoint.
I think, for me, what I’ve learned is that there’s a fire that we bring on ourselves, a fire from the enemy, and a fire that God brings. One of the things I thought about was the fact that at first, the Lord destroyed the world with a flood. And the next time He judges the world it will be with fire.
I’ve been wondering since I wrote the song whether that’s an actual fire or His Holy Spirit. And that’s me being metaphoric as a songwriter. God can destroy what we know and what we consider reality. He can destroy both with the fire of His Holy Spirit. I’m pretty sure judgment is coming. The Holy Spirit shows us that God wants His children to have Him and move in His Spirit. I think it’s the benevolence of God to send fire.
I don’t know if the song helps you sleep better at night. It’s a song that says that it’s okay to be okay with the sovereignty of God. And that means being okay with God being God and trusting that He’s good. If we die with Him, we’ll live with Him.
Lyrics
Held upright for far too long Inhale exhale found our song Faith and broken hope still strong We fight we rise Overcome
Outside and the world is on fire Outside and the world is on fire Outside everything’s burning up Cop cars in the car post up In the middle of the days and late night We ain’t tryna start a riot no Outside and the world is on fire Outside and the world is on fire
Won some battles lost the war Fought so hard still no one scored Was it worth it killed the cause We cry we tried Life goes on
Inside and the world is on fire Inside and the world is on fire Inside everything’s burning up Going through and my mind’s ate up From the middle of the day to the late night Got me running from the smoke cause I can’t breathe Inside and the world is on fire Inside and the world is on fire
Maybe not everything's fair in love and war
What if the flood was because when it rains it pours But maybe it’s not such a bad thing to set it on fire Start again
Outside and the world is on fire Inside and my world is on fire Outside and the world is on fire Inside and my world is on fire Outside and my world is on fire Inside and the world is on fire Outside and the world is on fire Inside and my world is on fire Maybe not everything’s fair in love and war
Closing Thoughts
Naomi’s music and her dependence on God have perfectly poetic biblical descriptions of Him. “World On Fire” showcases Naomi’s identity in Christ. It also showcases that God provides her joy in her circumstances.
Like Naomi, people can relate to the comforting messages of hope in this song. So, breathe it in like oxygen. God's hope will turn whatever you’re going through into something different for His glory—a message we all need.
We need to truly be free in Christ: happy and filled with joy. If we take the truth of what it means to follow Christ, we know we weren’t made for this world. This message is important, especially now, as we navigate life filled with fear and anxiety in this fallen world.
Remember that earth isn’t your permanent home and, as expressed in James 4:14, “life is a vapor:” it’s very fragile and can disappear in a second. Your freedom from the world’s restlessness will come when you enter the true rest that can only come from living eternally with Jesus Christ.
Too often, we get wrapped up in life’s circumstances. We get down on ourselves with negative thoughts, allowing the devil to define our self-worth. Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the battle of our minds, from sin and death. He wants us to have abundant life in Him. What a wonderful, encouraging truth.
We all have lies that we believe about ourselves. Also, we have an enemy who doesn't like us: His unwanted voice speaks to us, but God’s voice of agape love speaks louder. Many of us know biblical facts, but many of us don't understand God’s truth. For example, His Holy Spirit lives inside us.
Jesus said in Luke 12:49 (NKJV): "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled." Jesus warns of having a lukewarm faith and tells us in John 15:18 (NIV), "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first."
Naomi’s song lights a fire in us to know and proclaim what we stand for—no matter what the world tells us to do. Persecution of the U.S. church is coming. Certainly, we face spiritual warfare daily.
Don’t compromise your faith. Don't forsake God or be ashamed of the Gospel. Stand up for what you believe. The world is in its last days. So, it’s important to think about what you’d be doing if the Lord returned today. If you do face compromise, know that God forgives. He is a God of infinite second chances.
Naomi’s song captures another important message: God offers comfort, rest, and true peace. This truth is especially important if you struggle with depression and anxiety. Know that God is with you, always.
“World on Fire” depicts the message of our blessed hope that God is with us in our everyday lives that we need to hear, “Maybe not everything’s fair in love and war/What if the flood was because when it rains it pours/But maybe it’s not such a bad thing to set it on fire/Start again.” Amen to that.
NRT Lead Contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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