Contemporary artist Kristian Stanfill, songwriter of hits "Glorious Day" and "God, You're So Good," is an integral leader of the Passion movement. Before 2011, Kristian had a flourishing solo career. But during the 2010s, Kristian stepped away from releasing his own music and, instead, poured most of his writing talents into Passion.
Now, Kristian is ready to give his solo career more attention. The artist has returned to share his journey of healing with the hope that his new songs can help others. His new album, Make It Out Alive, embodies that aspiration. Here's a look at two of the album's new songs.
"We Need People"
"'Cause the highs are a little bit higher
And the lows make a little more sense
When you got someone in your corner
That you know you can live it all with"
"We Need People" emphasizes the importance of relationships in life, whether it be family, friendship, or acquaintances. Kristian sings that "the truth is simple" and that we need to foster bonds with people.
I can speak firsthand both of the blessings of community and also the self-inflicted pain of pushing that community away. I promise you that every time I choose the latter, I regret it. God's will for us is straightforward and with clear intention, He didn't create us to carry out that will alone.
It can be difficult to open your heart to fellowship especially if there are scars from past hurts. I get it. But the blessings that overflow from walking through life with those who love you are far greater: "If you want to grow then/You can't go it alone, friend." Healing is a process that requires faith. It's okay to be hesitant. But, remember, in the end, the connection with others is well worth it.
"Make It Out Alive"
"It's gonna take some time Healing always does Embrace the road you're walking Be patient with the process You're gonna make it out alive"
When you hear Kristian's heartfelt vocals, you can tell that the song's truth resonates with him. Lyrics take on a new meaning when the artist pens them out of a place of vulnerability.
Healing is a process. Anybody who knows me relatively well can attest that I struggle with this concept. I would rather walk through the struggle once, overcome it with the help of Jesus, and never look back on it again. That's the thing though. Even when I don't look back, oftentimes, the struggle presents itself anew right in the way of me getting on with my life.
Instead of trying to avoid hardships, Kristian faces them head-on as a way of embracing "the road you're walking." He emphasizes the importance of fire in that dreaded process of healing. With a fresh perspective, maybe healing doesn't have to be a source of anxiety. After all, "If you want a resurrection/Then a dying has to happen."
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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