Rising contemporary Christian artist Anne Wilson is an artist to watch. She is on a mission to spread the love of Jesus through her music. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, the Christian singer-songwriter has lived a lot of life in her 21 years. In 2017, Anne's brother Jacob tragically died in a car accident. Her family could not find anyone to sing at the service. Anne stepped up and volunteered to sing. It was in that moment at the service in front of 1,000 people that God spoke to Anne and told her that music and ministry were what He was calling her to do with her life. Anne set aside her plans to become a NASA astronaut and said yes to the Lord's plan.
Anne is passionate about showing others it is not about religion, it's about a relationship with Jesus. In late 2017, a cover video of Anne singing "What A Beautiful Name" went viral on YouTube and caught the attention of music industry manager and executive Jason Davis. Over the following year, Anne became recognized in the music industry as a vocal powerhouse comparable to artists like Lauren Daigle, Ellie Holcomb, and Steffany Gretzinger.
By mid-2019, Anne started receiving multiple major record deal offers. Her debut, My Jesus, is not to be missed, featuring the hit "My Jesus" and follow-up singles, "Hey Girl" and "Seventh of June."REBEL is her latest release which also features "Strong" and "Rain in the Rearview."
She exhibits the passion and confidence of a seasoned artist. Her songwriting is real, positive, and vulnerable, and her upbeat songs are a great way to celebrate our freedom in Christ. Anne is a great role model for girls. Her songs have connected with my daughters, and her biblically inspired lyrics represent how true happiness and her identity comes from her relationship with God. I had the chance to speak with Anne about her new song, "God & Country."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I feel like this song is a perfect description of me and my new album. I love God, and that's my everything, but I love country music, too, and I can have a beautiful mix of both. The theme of this song and this album is the theme of my heart and my Christian music, the sound of country, and the hope of Jesus. I hope it all points back to Him.
"God & Country" is the definition of me to a tee. The writing process was me connecting with Matthew West, Jeff Pardo, and Trannie Anderson. It was a fun time writing the song, which is autobiographical, and what I'm all about. My life verse is John 3:16, and we have another song on the record called 3:16. That verse has had so much power in my life, and it was the verse that this song is inspired by. For writing the songs for this album, I studied the Gospels and was able to reference the "Red letter pages."
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Also, I reference "Red, White, and Blue," and it seems to have become controversial to love the United States of America. People seem to have lost appreciation for the privilege of the freedoms we have in our country. I love God, and I love my country. That's what this song is all about.
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."
John 3:17 (NKJV): "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 15:4-5 (VOICE): "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing."
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."
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?
From this song, which ties into the album, I want people to feel the presence of God and know His love, hope, and peace. I want them to have the unexplainable feeling from the Holy Spirit. My mission is to describe the love of Jesus to the world. It's also to confront some subjects the world seems to not want to talk about, loving God, loving our Country, being a Rebel, just like Jesus. I hope it inspires people to stand up for God and our Country. Be a Rebel.
I can't wait for everyone to hear these brand-new songs. I've been working so hard over the past 15 months to write these songs, record them, and get them into the world! I was raised on two things: the love of God and the love of all things country. That's what fuels the music I make and that's what you'll hear more of on REBEL.
Lyrics
Mama put a Bible in my hands
And daddy put my hands in the dirt
I grew up in the heart of the heartland
With a vintage Johnny Cash on my shirt
I learned the truth from Grandad's vinyl
And a preacher down on river road
If you care to know anything about me
I'll tell you everything you need to know
I'm hallelujah hands high, and friends in low places
Red, white, and blue and red letter pages
Back row pew and front seat Ford
New King James and old king George
I'm washed in the water and mud on the tires
I'm Friday night lights and Sunday morning choir
I'm prayers up to heaven, roots down in Kentucky
Made by God and country
Always been and will be my true north
When it feels like the world's going south
It is well with my soul
Where the green grass grows
On some hometown holy ground
I'm hallelujah hands high and friends in low places
Red, white, and blue and red letter pages
Back row pew and front seat Ford
New King James and old king George
I'm grace given free and a hard-earned dollar
Child of the King and a coal miner's daughter
I'm prayers up to Heaven, roots down in Kentucky
I got a good life down here and a better one waitin' up above me
Made by God and country
God and country
God and country
Closing Thoughts
Sometimes Christians know facts about the Bible but don't live out the Truth that the Holy Spirit is living inside us. The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can trust God. As followers of Jesus, we know we can trust God's Word. We are all a work in progress. Have faith and let God "work all things together for good."
"God & Country" celebrates the freedom we are promised in God's Holy Word: the Bible. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Christians are new creations on the inside.
God wants us to believe in the freedom that we have on the cross of Jesus. We're free from our fears, addictions, insecurities, and perfectionism. Jesus came to die for us so we can truly live in Him. In today's culture, it is radical for people to accept heaven's entrance requirements--repentance and spiritual rebirth.
Are you allowing God to grow you spiritually? Look at the fallen world around you. Lift your eyes to God and put all your faith and hope in Him. There is nothing we have been given that is more valuable than our salvation. Take time to reflect on how thankful you are for the gift of Jesus and the moment He found you and saved you. Also remember John 3:17: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Sometimes, you need to be ignited and ask for a fresh filling of His Spirit. We need to pray daily that the Holy Spirit shines the Light of Jesus through us. With a fresh filling and singing along with this song, you can have the courage and excitement to live biblically.
This song has become my personal anthem. And I sing along at the top of my lungs the sincere and emotive lyrics of submission and patriotism. You can't earn your way into heaven. Jesus already paid that price for us. God's mercy and grace are new each day. It's not based on our performance or what we can do for God. He pours out His mercy despite what we've done. There's nothing we can do except trust in His son, Jesus.
All we need is faith, and God will show us what He has planned for us. He's the author of our lives and knows what's best for us much better than we do. Be encouraged by the light of Jesus shining in all of us based on our faith in Him, and personally, I am moved to know that Jesus is shining in me for all to see and believe. Be a Rebel. Join Anne in praying these words: "I'm grace given free and a hard-earned dollar/Child of the King and a coal miner's daughter/I'm prayers up to Heaven, roots down in Kentucky/I got a good life down here and a better one waitin' up above me/Made by God and country." 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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