Natasha Owens' music comes from a place of honesty that could only be born of personal life experiences and struggles. In the wake of her father's sudden and tragic passing, Natasha was invited to serve as a worship leader at her church--an opportunity which at first seemed ill-timed and impossible. But Natasha would soon find healing in leading others in singing songs carrying truth and hope, pushing her into the unexpected journey of writing, recording and touring.

No One But You, Natasha's most recent album, explores the victorious aftermath of restoration and seeks to emphasize God's ability to carry us through even the darkest days into life more abundant. Every track on the six song project expresses the theme of overcoming in its own unique way. I had the chance to speak with Natasha about "We Will Rise."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

In 2010, my father passed away very suddenly. Once the shock wore off, I spiraled down into depression. Then God's perfect timing crossed my path. I feel like He always gives you an out, and sometimes we don't know that's what it is at the time, but He provides a lifeline. In the midst of my depression, I was going through an angry stage in my grief, and I was angry at God.
In that time, my pastor asked me to become the worship leader at our church. 

For my first album, I wanted it to be a restoration album, to help people going through something faith-shaking to know that God will never leave or forsake them. That album is called I Made It Through, and it is about making it all the way through the end of a trial. I had suppressed all of my feelings and broken pieces for so long that I hid them from people, and God was the only One who saw them. I didn't really feel joy for many years, even when smiling, and one day I smiled and for the first time in years, I felt joy return. I made a promise to God that day to do something for everyone who has been through a faith-shaking experience to feel what I felt that day. 

God has opened up so many doors for me. My heart is to get to broken people and let them know that God heals. I had fulfilled my mission, and that was only the beginning of it. I opened for Michael W. Smith, and started sinking really quickly after that concert and prayed for guidance on what to do next.

I knew there was more in my heart that needed to be written and recorded. Ed Cash agreed to meet. After one meeting explaining the heart behind the new project, he agreed to produce the album, as excited as I was about the message that was about to emerge. The project took on a very clear direction. I knew I had made it through, but it was time for more. God gave this song to Ed Cash as we were talking about the new project. I shared with him that a lady I went to church with several years ago reached out last year and said she had a dream that she felt like God wanted me to know about. She said making it through was not the true message. It was just a stepping stone. Rising above is the true message. I felt that her message to me was an answer to prayer.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV): "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Zephaniah 3:17 (VOICE): "The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband."

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

Romans 8:28 (VOICE): We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

Romans 11:36 (NKJV): For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

What is the takeaway message?

God has taught me so much. Making it through is one thing, but having joy return is another. This song is exactly what was on my heart when I met with Ed. I worked with him to finish the song, and I knew God was in it. This is the first project where I had written and put my heart into songs. God breathed His anointing into it.

The church wants you to be healed, but they don't have a lot of patience. It seems like you have to put on a fake smile and hide how you're really feeling. People don't always take the time to listen. He doesn't call the equipped. He equips who He calls. That has stuck with me and given me the courage to do what He's called me to. If God is with me, I can do all things. I can do more than survive. I can thrive. If others can see the power of God to do such a work in my life and then translate it to their own, if they can really believe that they can do more than just get by, I've done my job.

Lyrics:
When I look around at all the broken pieces
it seems impossible that I could make it through
when I'm all alone and standing at the crossroads
I remember that my strength is found in You

Whatever a day may bring
We will look to the heavens and sing

We will rise, we will rise
Rise above the ashes rise above the fire
Lift your hands, Lift your eyes
Jesus is faithful, faithful to revive
We will rise, we will rise

When feelings try to tell us God has failed us
We won't believe the lies the enemy tells
We will worship we will praise the Name of Jesus
The more we sing the more healing prevails

Whatever a day may bring
We will look to the heavens and sing

We will rise, we will rise
Rise above the ashes rise above the fire
Lift your hands, Lift your eyes
Jesus is faithful, faithful to revive
We will rise, we will rise

All the while God is working
God is working for our good
When we feel He's not looking
God is working for our good

We will rise, we will rise
Rise above the ashes rise above the fire
Lift your hands, Lift your eyes
Jesus is faithful, faithful to revive
We will rise, we will rise We will rise, we will rise

What's cool is how after over seven years of writing my "behind the song" devotionals, so often I hear about these God moments where songs for albums become the lead single, and how many times Ed Cash has been involved in the writing and production process. Clearly he is an instrument that God uses to inspire artists and put prayers into songs.

The book of James has many inspirational words about trials. I find comfort in James 1:2-4 (NKJV): "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Rather than wallow in self-pity and misery, we need to live each day knowing that despite circumstances, God has a plan for "those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). We really bring nothing to the table. 

As followers of Jesus, we know that we can trust God's Word. We are all a work in progress. Have faith and let God "work all things together for good." Spend time with God, and let Him redeem and restore you. We are not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what's He's started in all of us who've put all of our hope and trust in Jesus for our salvation. God is bigger than any calamity that we experience in this world. His love never fails! Thank You Jesus! Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
  
By reading the Bible every day, God wants us to have a daily reminder not to be afraid. The Good News of the Gospel which this song perfectly portrays is that God accepts us no matter what we've done or what we are going through. As the song sings, "We will rise, we will rise, rise above the ashes rise above the fire. Lift your hands, lift your eyes, Jesus is faithful, faithful to revive. We will rise, we will rise." Amen to that!

Watch the music video below.