Sparrow Records’ critically acclaimed singer/songwriter, Josh Wilson, released his third album, See You, on Feb. 8. This is the follow-up to his acclaimed sophomore release, Life Is Not A Snapshot, that garnered year-end awards with the hit track “Before the Morning,” taking the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Year-End Christian Songs chart and established Wilson as Billboard’s eighth most played artist on Christian Radio.

Bringing all his musical influences to bear—pop, folk, rock, classical, hymns, and more, See You paints a refreshingly relevant musical palate that frames its message beautifully. With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, the album solidifies Wilson’s place among the finest song crafters of his day.

I had the great opportunity to interview Josh about his song “I Refuse,” the first single from See You. (You can listen to our entire interview here.)

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

“I Refuse” evolved as I was reading David Platt’s perspective-shattering book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Simultaneously, the 1,000-year flood hit Nashville, devastating entire communities on May 1, 2010. I was out of town when the flood happened. I was amazed by the amount of devastation and loss that happened. My first inclination was to ask God to rally the city and surrounding community for the time and resources to recover. I realized that I was praying for the flood victims, but I wasn’t doing anything myself. I was almost using my prayer as an excuse to not do anything else. As Christians, we’re called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and serve the “least of these.” So that phrase came back to me... I refuse to do nothing.

Please tell me about any Bible verses that you used to write the song.

Matthew 25:37-46: “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

What is the take-away message for listeners?

As Jesus tells us in the Bible, we are called to serve the “least of these.” Whenever we care for people who are hungry, thirsty, sick, in prison, we are serving Him. This song is about sharing the love of Jesus with those in need. God has gifted all of us to do something. We need to refuse to do nothing. God wants us to serve Him with our actions along with our words. I tend to overcomplicate that idea of serving others. A lot of times, Christ is right in front of us and when we just serve those in need, we are serving Him.

Here are the lyrics:

Sometimes I,
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch.
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.

But I refuse.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately,
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of you, oh God.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

"I Refuse" challenges me to share my faith by helping those in need and not keep my faith to myself. According to Josh, the purpose of "I Refuse" is "to show people how simple it can be to 'refuse to do nothing,' just by being aware of what is going on in the world around them."

Having previously enjoyed Josh Wilson's hit songs "Savior, Please", "3 Minute Song" and "Before The Morning," I have eagerly anticipated See You. This album firmly establishes Josh as the premier folk style singer-songwriter in Christian music. Josh's poignant song writing is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges me to better see God. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God. I can’t get enough of this album, sure to be one of my top albums of 2011. Josh invites you into his life in such an authentic and relatable way, you’ll feel like you are a lifelong friend after you hear this album.

This song challenges me to be unashamed of the Gospel and to refuse to do nothing. We all need to be the love of Jesus. We are the body of Christ, we don’t have to do everything ourselves. God has placed us in different parts of the world and we each have different abilities and opportunities to do something for God. How many of us have a lonely widow that lives near us that we can serve? You don’t need to go on a missions trip, you can serve right where you are.

You can watch the music video here.