Anne Wilson is an up-and-coming Christian musician spreading Jesus' love through her music. Despite being only 21 years old, she has already experienced much of life, including the tragic loss of her brother Jacob in a car accident in 2017. When her family couldn't find someone to sing at the service, Anne stepped up and volunteered. In front of 1,000 people, God spoke to Anne and revealed that music and ministry were her calling in life. Anne set aside her dream of becoming a NASA astronaut and embraced God's plan.
Anne is passionate about showing others that it's not about religion but about having a relationship with Jesus. Her cover of Hillsong Worship’s "What A Beautiful Name" on YouTube went viral in late 2017 and caught the attention of music industry manager and executive Jason Davis. Anne quickly gained recognition in the music industry for her powerful vocals and was compared to famous Christian artists Lauren Daigle, Ellie Holcomb, and Steffany Gretzinger. By mid-2019, Anne received multiple record deal offers and released her debut album, My Jesus, which features the hit title track and the singles "Sunday Sermons" and "Hey Girl."
Anne is a confident, passionate artist with honest, positive, and vulnerable songwriting. Her music celebrates our freedom in Christ and is a superb role model for young girls. Her biblically inspired lyrics show true happiness and identity from a relationship with God. In a recent conversation with Anne, she shared the story behind her touching tribute song, "Seventh of June."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
My older brother, Jacob, my best friend and someone I admired in every way, died in a car accident at 23. God used that season to draw me closer to Him when he passed away. I developed a deep relationship with the Lord that I didn’t have before. I fell in love with Jesus for the first time in my life.
When I lost Jacob, one of my favorite scriptures was Romans 8:28. I know this is painful, and I’m brokenhearted and depressed, but God can work this out for good during the tragedy. As a Christian, life's not always going to be perfect. We’re going to have trouble. We must keep the promise that He will make a way when there is no way.
The song "No Place Like Home" is a tribute to my memories with Jacob and is full of hope. However, while writing for my next album, I felt the need to create a song that also acknowledges the sadness of his passing.
On June 7th, my family and I visit my brother's gravesite every year. It's a difficult but necessary reality that we, as a family, face together. During these visits, I talk to my brother and accept that he’s gone. Recently, I collaborated with songwriters Matthew West and Jeff Pardo to write a song about this anniversary. Being on the road and missing essential dates has been challenging, but this song has helped me process my feelings.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
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."
Psalm 27:13(NIV): “I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.”
Hebrews 13:14(NLT): "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come."
Ecclesiastes 2:11(NLT): "But as I looked at everything, I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere."
Ecclesiastes 11:7-10(NIV): "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However, many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV): “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
John 17:3(NKJV): "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Romans 8:17(NIV): “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”
Philippians 1:6(NKJV): “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
What is the takeaway message?
God called me to minister to those who've lost someone and are hurting. With this song, I want to speak life and joy to people walking through pain and loss.
It's difficult to share, but I've put myself out there and exposed my pain, sadness, and brother's grave in the music video. However, the song also brings hope to heaven and provides a place for grieving people to process their emotions.
I’m 21, and I’ve already experienced much life. I know that my brother is in heaven. He’s with me every moment, in my joy, pain, and suffering. I hope and pray that you can plug in the date of a loved one passing and use this song to help you heal. Your loved ones are with you, and they are walking with you.
My faith is not going anywhere in the new music. I do this for Jesus, not for any other reason. But I must step into a bigger market to reach the world. It’s the heart of Christian music, the sound of Country, and the hope of Jesus. I hope my work all points back to Him.
Lyrics
My friends, they know I won’t pick up if they call me One day a year And that one day is here My tears, just like a summer rain, are falling It’s just what they do When I start missing you
Why’d you have to go? Why’d I have to stay? When’s it gonna get easier? To make it through the day
I go out walking I ain’t much for talking Just thinking and crying And praying and trying To make sense Of what don’t make sense in this life Like why you’re up there And not here by my side They say it’s gonna get easier And I want to believe that’s true It’s just harder on the seventh of June
I’ve been singing songs ever since the day you left me Crazy how my life has changed Every night a different stage And sometimes it feels like you and God are watching Are you looking down on me? I wonder if you’re proud of me.
I miss you Oh, I miss you
My friends, they know I won’t pick up if they call me On the seventh of June It’s just me and you
Closing Thoughts
"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world," wrote C. S. Lewis in the book Mere Christianity. As believers in Christ, we know we’re made for God. We were all created to find our home in Him.
They filled the Book of Ecclesiastes with Solomon's wisdom being passed on to all of us. Many passages in Ecclesiastes are very challenging, such as 11:9: "You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things, God will bring you into judgment."
No matter your worldview, we all need to remember that Earth isn't our permanent home, and our freedom from this world's pain, suffering, and heartache will come when we enter the proper rest that can only come from living eternally with Jesus Christ. After accepting Jesus as your personal savior, you come to understand that this life lacks purpose. As St. Augustine perfectly put it, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
According to Charles Spurgeon, an English Baptist preacher, a believer has absolute certainty in some respects. They are sure that God is always wise and trust that nothing happens by accident or mistake. Even in the worst situations, they believe it is the most intelligent and kindest thing that could happen to them if God ordains it. The belief that all things work together for the good of those who love God is not just a theory for Christians but something they know to be true.
Believing in our freedom on the cross of Jesus is what God desires. We're free from our fears, addictions, insecurities, and perfectionism. Jesus came to die for us to live in Him genuinely.
Anne's song about her brother Jacob being in heaven always tears my eyes. It's a reminder that we never know when our time will come. While we're still here, we should focus on living for the Lord and spreading His message to those who haven't yet accepted Jesus as their savior. Join Anne in praying these words: “Just thinking and crying/And praying and trying/To make sense/Of what don’t make sense in this life/Like why you’re up there/And not here by my side.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He 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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