From the first time I heard "Life" and "Here in this Moment" from Beckah Shae's album, LIFE (which is an acronym for "Love in Full Effect"), I was hooked by her dance/pop style and sincere, God-focused ministry.

She is one of the most prolific independent recording artists in any genre, releasing several albums and singles over the past five years. Following up her string of hit songs "#putyourloveglasseson," "Gold," "Music," "Rest," "Incorruptible" and "Turbo Style," Shae's most recent album Champion released on May 6.

Champion is my favorite album to date by this talented singer and songwriter, and one of my top albums of the year. There are several standout songs, including the incredibly hooky and exciting title track "Champion," which reflects Beckah's personal testimony as a mother, wife, and follower of Jesus. I had the great opportunity to speak with Beckah about the song.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

My husband Jack and I have been making music for about 10 years now. It hasn't been the easiest road that we've chosen to take, but it has been so worth it. All of the albums are a serious reflection of where I am in that season and the timeframe of my journey at the time. They all have a strong theme as well. We decided to call this album Champion because the entire theme of this project was really our Champion.

When I think of our Champion, God, I know that He makes a way and fights for us. All of the different decisions and choices we've made are closely connected to the messages of these songs. We decided early on to follow God and not the will of the majority or what everyone else says is the right thing to do. It is such a strong pull when everyone is saying "this is what works, and this is what everyone else does and how you should do it." We chose to take our faith and listen to God in our direction of what to do. The thing about that is when you tell people to have faith and God goes before you, you have to remember that it isn't easy.

I have a sign in my gym that says "Nobody said it was going to be easy, but it's worth it." That's so true. Honestly we know that God said that "no weapon formed against you shall prosper." He didn't say we're not going to be taking blows or feel rejected. Jesus went through all of that to show us that no matter what we face, we are going to make it and we are going to win. The victory belongs to us. The battle has been won. Truthfully, His weakest moments are the moments that help me to be strong. In our weakness, He is strong. The reason why is that in our weakness we can relate to what Jesus went through in His weakest moments and we can relate to the strength that came from that. He has guaranteed us that we will triumph no matter what.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV): No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV): And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT): We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV): And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

What is the takeaway message?

The whole entire theme of the album, the artwork and the color red with blood drops, were that we just wanted to cover it with the blood of Jesus. That's where the power comes from. That's why we are champions, because of what Jesus did for us. He gave us a blood transfusion. Jesus' blood runs through me, and gives me power. It is because of Him living inside of me that I can do all things. That's what gives me strength and makes me able. Not because of anything that I have or can do but because of Him.

He is truly our Champion. He has made a way for us to go forth and not give up. He's before us, He's with us and He's in us. Revelation 12:11 tells us that "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." A lot of times I feel underqualified, that I am very weak and don't have a lot of resources. I don't have a huge record label or team of people. We've walked this past decade with very little support from the industry. Everything has caused us to be strong and dependent on God, which is awesome! In a sense it is really amazing.

When you look at this album you have to see the glory of God. Everything He's done through me and Shoc has been because of God. We had nothing, and we've done something with nothing. He gets all the glory. It's really powerful. Even just the picture of me on the cover of the album is a powerful testimony if you know me. I was a girl that was so insecure and I hated myself. The enemy had me so bound at one point that I couldn't stand myself. I couldn't look people in the eyes, and I covered my face with my hair all the time. I was overweight, insecure, had eating disorders, was depressed, had anxiety, and it is a miracle that I can sing boldly and even talk to people.

I am so free now. God has given me strength and He has given me dignity. He has given me a hope for the future. I'm not scared. That's so powerful to see that picture of me, I look so confident. That's totally Jesus! His blood is covering me, and my testimony is so important because nobody can take that from me. I'm flawed with my words and things come out the wrong way. Whatever I do that isn't perfect, God is always there covering me. I'm covered by His blood and that's enough. To have knowledge of Who He is can make us so bold. That's enough. We don't have to be led by what everyone else says and everyone's opinions and expectations when you find freedom in the blood of Jesus.

My legacy will always be "Put Your Love Glasses On." Seeing yourself the way God sees you is truly the beginning of freedom. I had to go into a ballroom and dance with Jesus to learn that He adores me. He marvels at me, He loves me and wants the best for me. The enemy's greatest strategy is to lie to us about how God sees you. If he does that, he messes up how you see others and what God has for you and wants to give you. Satan messes up everything if your perspective and vision is off. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author, the Perfecter, the Finisher, the Champion of our faith. It clears up everything. Trust in God. Imagine that Jesus's eyes are always on you, like you are on a reality show. You can acknowledge His presence and know He loves you.

Lyrics:
I know better
Than to stay down for too long. (too long)
'Cause it don't matter whether I feel it or I don't, I'm strong.

I know why I'm taking blows like it's all good (it's all good),
'Cause I'm still winning,
I'm just a little misunderstood.

Even when I want to quit,
I just keep on pushing it,

Determined to make a hit,
I just keep on aimin' to win

Like a champion
It's in my blood!

If losing didn't hurt so bad, winning wouldn't feel so good.
So I own all this pain and I consider it gain like it should.

'Cause I'm motivated and it's the only way I can go higher (higher)
Until my good is better and my better is the best, yea, I'm that girl that's on fire.

Even when I want to quit,
I just keep on pushing it,

Determined to make a hit,
I just keep on aimin' to win

Like a champion
It's in my blood!

No matter how hard it gets, I'm not afraid of it
I'm gonna reach the end 'cause I'm a winner.

Yea, I know where I'm going
My confidence is showin'

'Cause I know why, why, why, I'm a winner

Like a champion
It's in my blood!

Over the past six years in speaking to literally hundreds of artists of faith about their testimony and zeal for Jesus in their songs, there have been some truly inspirational moments where the Presence of the Lord fills the space of the discussion about Him and His goodness, whether in person or over the phone. Speaking with Beckah was absolutely one of those moments where God was here in this moment.

Beckah's personal testimony of overcoming an eating disorder and self-loathing and lack of confidence by allowing her identity to be found in the Person of Jesus is an incredible example of what it means to be a champion in Christ. As we discussed, this song is about our Champion, Jesus, Who overcame the grave. It's about submitting all of ourselves to Him and His goodness and allowing His blood to cover us and run through our veins, giving us a blood transfusion, as Beckah said. That's how we can "overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony." By stepping into the Lord's ability instead of relying on ourselves, we are empowered by the supernatural ability of God.

The world and the setbacks that Beckah and Shoc have faced are tactics of the enemy who doesn't want Christians to be empowered by the blood of Jesus or to have a self-image based in truth. All of the things we discussed are what make us victorious through Jesus. Remember these words from 1 John 4:4 (NKJV): "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." Amen to that!

(Preview the music video here.)