Olivia Lane, an emerging contemporary artist, gained fame for documenting her journey from being a non-believer to a faithful follower on TikTok. Her popular posts inspired her to release her latest song, "I Believe It Now," which she recorded with Sidewalk Prophets in the studio. This faith-driven hit follows her earlier release, "Woman at the Well," inspired by her turn to God and her roots in modern country music.
Olivia's talent shines through her passionate and confident artistry. Her honest and vulnerable songwriting and upbeat songs are a great way to celebrate freedom in Christ. She is a great role model, especially for young girls, as her biblically inspired lyrics represent how true happiness and identity come from a strong relationship with God. I had the privilege of speaking with Olivia about her latest release, "Wherever You Are."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I went through a difficult period in 2017 when the stress and anxiety of years of writing, recording, and performing got the better of me. I lost my voice. I knew music was my calling, but somehow, I’d lost myself. I knew I needed to rediscover myself and return to my true calling.
I’ve learned it takes some dark moments to find the light again. Now I feel centered in every way, and you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing. I went to vocal and physical therapy to relearn my voice use. Along the way, I gained valuable tools to aid my recovery. I hope to share these lessons and my newfound identity with listeners. I was fortunate to see a Christian counselor, even though I identified as an atheist. Through our sessions, I encountered Jesus, and my life has been transformed.
“Wherever You Are” reflects my journey of seeking fulfillment from worldly pleasures and finding only emptiness until I turned to Jesus and experienced the power of His love and grace. The song’s bridge invites anyone listening to seek Jesus and let his kindness fill their soul, promising a warm welcome home. The song ends with a reminder that Jesus can be found in the healing and the hurt.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Romans 8:28(VOICE): "We are confident that God can orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
Ephesians 2:4-5(NIV): "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
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."
Luke 15:24(VOICE): "Because my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and has been found." So, they had this huge party.
Ephesians 2:10(NLT): "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."
Romans 12:2(The Voice): "Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."
Romans 8:17(NIV): “Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in His sufferings so 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 told 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 minds in Christ Jesus."
What is the takeaway message of your song and album?
The theme of the last seven years is literally and metaphorically finding my voice. It was taking back ownership of who I was and my voice as a songwriter. Every human tries to find their voice and purpose in life, and it's such an important message.
“Wherever You Are” documents my transformation from a non-believer to a faithful follower—“from atheist to amen.” This song is a heartfelt message of hope and encouragement for anyone who feels lost, broken, or alone. The lyrics describe how I found solace and redemption in Jesus Christ and how others can do the same.
Overall, the song's message is that no matter where you are or what you've been through, Jesus is always there, ready to meet you and welcome you home. It's a message of hope and comfort for anyone who needs to hear it.
Lyrics
It might be strange to bring up in this conversation But a name comes up when I think about your situation I haven’t been where you’ve been, but I’ve been where I’ve been And I’ve seen it again and again and again
There’s no place in your heart or no night that’s too dark That He won’t walk with you in
Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell Some who think they can save themselves It’s never too late, never too far gone He will meet you wherever you are
I tried everything that the world tried to say would make me whole But all that I spent on a quick, easy fix, I still had an empty soul But everything changed when I whispered His name And I felt this new kind of love break through And the thing about grace is it don’t cost a thing He’ll do the same for you
Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell Some who think they can save themselves It’s never too late, never too far gone He will meet you wherever you are
Jesus His name is Jesus Let this be your invitation Let His kindness fill your soul Come as you are; he’ll be waiting Jesus is your welcome home
Let this be your invitation Let His kindness fill your soul Come as you are; he’ll be waiting Jesus is your welcome home
Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell Some who think they can save themselves It’s never too late, never too far gone He will love you wherever you are
Jesus His name is Jesus
Some find Him at the well, some find Him on the road I found Him when there was no other way to go Some find Him in a bar, some find Him at a church Some find Him in the healing, and some find Him in the hurt
Closing Thoughts
The song "Wherever You Are" encourages us to trust God and be open about our struggles by confessing them to Him and others. When we surrender our burdens to Jesus, He will take them from us and free us from their weight. It is important to remember that God wants to hear from us and is always willing to help.
This song shows how submitting to the Lord can free us from our struggles. We shouldn’t be ashamed of our weaknesses, as they reveal God's grace and strength. This song's powerful lyrics profoundly move me, and I find great comfort in it. We may not have all the answers and control everything, but placing our trust in God can help us overcome our fears. God will be there to pick us up when we fall.
When I listen to this song, the challenge is to pick an area of my life that I've been trying to control. Instead, I step out and put my hope and trust in Him. Jesus is the answer to all that we want and need. We all need God to fix our beautiful messes in some way. One of the most beautiful things about grace is that it is a gift we do not need to earn or deserve. Through the Holy Spirit, we are given a new life that frees us from guilt, fear, and worries. By being born again, we leave behind our old life and embrace a new beginning filled with hope and peace.
The song’s words are a great way to work on the disciplines of self-examination and prayer. Faith is when we are empty of ourselves and filled with Him and His Holy Spirit. I can’t get enough of the biblical truth in the chorus, “Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess/I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness/Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell/Some who think they can save themselves/It’s never too late, never too far gone/He will love you wherever you are.”
Satan seeks to destroy us and our relationship with God by making us believe lies that things of this world will fill the holes in our hearts. Olivia Lane has written and sung an exceptional song based on truth that deals with the identity struggle we all face, knowing that as children of God, we’re made in His image and made whole only by His love.
This song celebrates the day we were saved from our sins and causes listeners to reflect on and celebrate their salvation experience—my story of the grace of when I was lost, and Jesus found me happened in 1999. I was in my car listening to a Christian music album, and at the end of the album, the artist shared his testimony, which was also my story. I finally admitted to myself and God that I am a sinner and can't save myself. I pulled to the side of the road and just sobbed as I was invited to join in saying the sinner's prayer. I confessed my sins, begged for forgiveness, and accepted Jesus as my Savior. I felt the presence of God there with me in my car, and I've never been the same.
This song does an excellent job of explaining what grace is about. The message is clear: we cannot earn our way into heaven. Jesus has already paid the price for us. God's mercy and grace are new every day, and they are not based on our performance or what we can do for God. He pours out His mercy despite what we have done. The only thing we can do is to trust in His Son, Jesus.
My pastor uses the phrase "God's riches at Christ's expense" to define grace, perfectly capturing this concept's essence. As believers, we have an irrefutable argument when we share our story of grace. This song celebrates the day we were saved from our sins and encourages listeners to reflect on and celebrate their salvation experience.
“Wherever You Are” is a biblical truth that all listeners can resonate with. As Christians, we experience a transformation within ourselves. The Holy Spirit grants us a new life, freeing us from guilt, fears, perfectionism, and worries. The song I'm sharing is a testimony of my journey of moving away from darkness and embracing God's wondrous light. Sing along and believe these words: “Let this be your invitation/Let His kindness fill your soul/Come as you are, He’ll be waiting/Jesus is your welcome home.” 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.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1236 - Brandon Heath
Transforming wounds into stories of redemption in this powerful song
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!NRT EDITORIAL
Skillet
We explores some of the band's best songs outside their hits
NEW!NRT LISTS
Jordan Merritt
A real conversation around the artist's new track, "Human"
NEW!HEARTSPEAK
Jordan Feliz
The artist's must-listen-to songs about faith, family, and redemption
NEW!AN NRT EXCLUSIVE
Rock Meets Worship
Seven gritty cover songs of popular worship music and hymns
