For worship leader and speaker Tasha Layton, the road to discovering her artistry has been a long, exhilarating one. And the journey that’s led her to the present has been hard, exciting, painful, and incredible all at the same time.
From her small-town roots to being on the road with Katy Perry and working as an in-demand session singer in Los Angeles to moving to Nashville and recording her debut Christian album, Love Running Wild in 2019, Tasha’s story is as vibrant and strong as the singer herself. Into the Sea is her follow-up release, preceded by the stirring title track.
Into the Sea is best described as an intimate personal worship experience with an inspirational and uplifting tone. The album itself tells a story of redemption, relying on God’s plans being higher than our plans.
Each song gives a glimpse of how Tasha offers her Psalm-like prayers to God. Tasha’s engaging music and thought-provoking lyrics are something to truly savor. I had the chance to speak with Tasha about “Into The Sea.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
When we entered this writing session, my husband, who is a music producer, and I were coming out of a season of deep hurt. We had walked through a difficult time in our marriage. And, we wanted to write music that could help people. Sometimes, you end up writing a song that holds the weight of ministry that you dream about.
I was drawing from some experiences I had when I was searching in my faith. I felt desperate for a change—especially in the verse that says, “I’ve blamed myself and, if I’m honest, maybe have blamed you, too.”
For a long time, I thought the outcomes in my life were solely determined by how good of a person I was or because God had it out to get me if I messed up. I’ve since recognized the error in my theology and realized how far from the truth that is. We based the song on Psalm 46.
My husband and I have both passed the point in our lives of just writing any song. We want our music to speak to what people are going through. Music that ministers to them.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 46:1-3(NIV): “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Lamentations 3:28-30(MSG): “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst.”
Lamentations 3:22-24(MSG): “God's loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.”
Jeremiah 29:13(NIV): "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
Psalm 30:11-12(VOICE): “You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing; You stripped off my dark clothing and covered me with joyful light. You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs! It's impossible to keep quiet! Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.”
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.”
Romans 8:11(VOICE): “If the Spirit of the One who resurrected Jesus from the dead lives inside of you, then you can be sure that He who raised Him will cast the light of life into your mortal bodies through the life-giving power of the Spirit residing in you.”
What is the takeaway message?
I have a two-year-old son and when he falls and scrapes his knee, or when he is scared or sad, I take his little face in my hands, I look at him and say, ‘You know what buddy, it’s gonna be okay.’
When we wrote, "Into the Sea," I think all of us writers were accessing what I call “the dark nights of the soul” in our lives. I was facing a lot of heartache, worry and stress. I was crying out to God, just like my little son cries out to me.
When we question if God is still in control and still good, Psalm 46 says that even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea, He is our refuge and our strength. When your world feels like it's completely upside down, remember, it is going to be okay.
I hope when people hear this song, they access the most honest thoughts and emotions. I pray that people hand these feelings over to God. I hope they sense God assuring them that no matter what they're facing, it’s going to be okay.
Lyrics
My heart is breaking In a way, I never thought it could My mind is racing With the question Are You still good
Can You make something From the wreckage Would You take this heart And make it whole again
Though the mountains May be moved into the sea Though the ground beneath Might crumble and give way I can hear my Father singing over me It’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be okay
I’ve blamed myself And if I’m honest Maybe I’ve blamed You too But You would not forsake me ‘Cause only good things come from You
Though the mountains May be moved into the sea Though the ground beneath Might crumble and give way I can hear my Father singing over me It’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be okay
From beginning to the end You’re so close You have never let me down And You won’t In the valley, in the shadow I know You’re so close You’re so close
Though the mountains May be moved into the sea Though the ground beneath Might crumble and give way I can hear my Father singing over me It’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be okay
I'm gonna be okay I'm gonna be okay
Closing Thoughts
Many of the lyrics in “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be Ok)” give me words to pray such as, “Though the mountains may be moved into the sea/Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way/I can hear my Father singing over me/It’s gonna be okay.” These words are especially comforting in this time of anxiety. It says we all can face this pandemic together.
Worship is about giving God our best, offering all of ourselves to Him. All we can do is submit to Him and give everything we have to Him. Rather than run to things that can hurt us, we need to run to God.
"God's name is a place of protection. Run there and be safe" is what God's Word tells us. We can call out for Jesus. And, He will keep us safe. This is a truth for believers to cling to. Don't hope that this truth is true. Don't turn to the Lord as your last resort. Instead, get washed daily by the truth found in His Word, the Bible. If we learn to build our lives on scripture, we can all have a rock as our foundation, as we navigate our lives.
According to God’s Word in Jeremiah 29:13, we need to search for God with all our heart. Then, we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. In our fast-paced society, how often are we dedicating our whole heart to God? This song totally moves me in my personal worship time.
The song is sung with a stirring passion and filled with prayerful declarations. A bible verse that references God singing over us that “you’re gonna be okay” is Zephaniah 3:17. It moves me immensely to soak in the truth that our God sings over us.
I hear in Tasha’s vocals a sincere yearning for God. A thankfulness in her heart for God's mercy and grace. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song.
We can all make the choice to ask the Holy Spirit to indwell us with His supernatural ability to overcome whatever we are going through. That’s what this song is all about.
We're aware of many situations involving people taking their own lives after dealing with depression. Tasha’s hope is to pass on the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to "cast the light of life into your mortal bodies."
If you're struggling with depression, please know with certainty these life-giving words: “And when the night is closing in/Don’t give up and don’t give in/This won’t last, it’s not the end/It’s not the end/You’re gonna be okay. ” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and 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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