Fort Worth, Texas native Christy Nockels has established herself as one of the most experienced and recognizable voices in Christian music. Christy and her husband Nathan have recorded five albums under the name Watermark, including hit songs "My Heart Your Home" and "Glory of Your Name." Christy and Nathan have also served together at the yearly Passion Conferences since 1997.
 
Christy has a passion for serving others and pouring out the love that Jesus Christ has poured into her, and that is a passion which is communicated in every element of the music she creates. Her new live worship album Let it Be Jesus was recorded at Passion City Church. The project features melodic, worshipful songs all focused on singing the truth of God's character and Word into the hearts of listeners.
 
The latest edition of the Passion projects which Christy is a part of is 2015's Passion: Even So Come. This album features the most balanced lineup of any Passion project yet, including Christy's new song "My Anchor." I had the chance to speak with Christy about the song, which is found on both Christy's and Passion's worship albums.
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
 
I always love when I get to co-write songs with Jason Ingram. We've been friends for years. We toured together back when we were still Watermark and Jason was a solo artist, and we were artists in residence together with Jason at Fellowship Bible Church when we lived in Nashville. There's a history there.
 
When I come up to Nashville to write every once in a while, it's funny because we sit and talk for a while. I know Jason's wife, and we catch up and end up talking a lot about the state of the Church in general, the world we live in and social media, and we always spend time assessing where we are in history.
 
I enjoy sitting with people around my same age, and as artists you want to have a general idea of what culture is like and then pray together and ask God "what do You want to say in light of everything we just acknowledged? Jesus, what do You want us to say as culture shapers, as people You've given this opportunity to not only say something to the Church, but we hope to the world?"
 
That's how "My Anchor" started. Jason had just been writing for Chris Tomlin's record, and with us all being friends, I'm not ashamed to call Chris and ask if there's anything he didn't put on his album that he'd like me to hear. It's neat that we all have that camaraderie, and that we are for each other. This song was one that Jason had started for Chris, and they didn't finish it. I was immediately drawn to the song, and Jason and I finished it together. That's how it came about.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Hebrews 6:19 (NLT): This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.

Matthew 14:29-31 (NKJV): So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Psalm 71:1-3 (NIV): In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my Rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.
 
What is the takeaway message of the song and album?
 
The message of the song is really simple, but also really profound. That bridge is my favorite part. The song isn't wordy or hard to understand, but what we are saying is "I'm holding on to Jesus, and He holds on to me." We have that assurance. It's such a powerful statement. It's especially important for this generation and this culture we live in to be anchored, and what you are anchored in plays out in your life. It says everything about who you are. We felt like this was a very strong thing to sing for our generation.
 
We have a friend named George from the UK who has traveled with Matt Redman for many years. He has been in a lot of different genres of music. He is originally from Zimbabwe and has also spent a lot of time in South Africa. He is one of those guys who is such an encourager to our team, and every time we are with him he speaks into our lives.
 
Matt started writing with George, and they wrote "Sing and Shout" together. Nathan and I had him over to our house, and George had started a song called "Freedom Song." I loved the idea that Jesus is our freedom song. It is always tricky to write upbeat songs for corporate worship without it feeling forced. We had George over for dinner, and we finished up "Freedom Song" together. I'm excited about that song. It's very joyful. I'm going to love leading and singing that song.
 
Lyrics:
You're the Lord Almighty
Your every Word is sure
And in Your love unfailing
I'm safe when oceans roar
Yes, I'm safe when oceans roar
 
My Anchor forever
My Shelter within the storm
You're my Deliverer, You never falter
Yes You're the Rock I stand on
 
Here within the struggle
Oh and every crashing wave
You are more than able, and
Your hand is strong to save
Yes I know Your hand is strong to save!
 
I hold onto You, and
You hold onto me, Jesus
I hold onto You, and
You hold onto me, My Jesus
I hold onto You forever, and
You hold onto me!
 
My Anchor forever
My Shelter within the storm
You're my Deliverer, You never falter
Yes You're the Rock I stand on
Yes You're the Rock I stand on
You're the Rock I stand on
 
"My Anchor" is a love song to Jesus, proclaiming "You're my Anchor, forever, my Shelter. Within the storm You're my Deliverer, You never falter, You're the Rock I stand on." What a great way to profess and thank the Lord directly by telling Him "I hold on to You, and You hold on to me."
 
You can sincerely pray these words along with Christy. It is a moving offering of praise to Jesus. His love is never-ending, and He is our refuge and our strength. God's ultimate will is not to bring affliction upon people, but to restore us so that we may experience His unfailing love. I love singing this song back to Jesus and telling Him plainly that I need no other than Him.
 
People can certainly relate to the "Anchor" imagery of this song. The lyrics in the chorus, "You're the Rock I stand on," have been resonating with me as I realize that Jesus commands us to trust God completely no matter the circumstances or personal distractions or concerns. The song represents life, and includes some great challenges to step out in faith and trust in God even when you want to give up or can't see where you're going.
 
If you are looking for a Firm Foundation in your life, make the lyrics in the bridge your personal prayer: "I hold onto You, and You hold onto me. My Jesus, I hold onto You forever, and You hold onto me!" Amen to that!
 
(Listen to the song here.)