Known for documenting her transformation from a non-believer to a faithful follower--or, as she calls it, "from atheist to amen"--during a popular string of viral TikTok posts, Olivia Lane began sharing songs and soon found herself joining Sidewalk Prophets in the recording studio, adding passion and poignancy to a re-recorded version of "I Believe It Now."
"I Believe It Now" and "Wherever You Are" are recent faith-driven hits by Olivia Lane, who released "Woman at the Well" in 2021--a single inspired not only by her turn to God but also her longtime roots in modern country music. "Who I Thought You Were" and "Songs About Jesus" are her newest songs reflecting her faith.
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. Olivia 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 come from her relationship with God. I had the chance to speak with Olivia about her hit song "Who I Thought You Were."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
If you've had a complicated relationship with God, I wrote this song for you. For too long, I had a lot of wrong preconceived notions of who I thought God was. Was he this always-judging-me type of God or a parental figure type who had all these rules with no explanation?
When I hit one of the lowest points of my life back in 2017, I was confronted with needing healing outside of myself. God then met me at the bottom of my brokenness. I'm so glad I gave God a chance to show me who he really was in 2018. This song is a testament to a loving God who leaves the 99 to go after the one and how He never stops His loving pursuit of His children. Looking back, I can see that God was with me all along; He was merely waiting for me to want to truly know Him, see Him, and believe in His goodness.
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."
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."
Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV): "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
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."
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--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.
What is the takeaway message of your song?
The song is a reminder to each of us to keep being amazed and in awe of who God is. We ought to be encouraged that God has shattered our perceptions of who we think of Him to be. It may not look like what we think He is in the situation we're in now, and He may not undertake things in our lives that we may expect Him to. But what God has in store for our lives is far beyond what we can even imagine or even conceive.
Lyrics
They told me that You loved me, then they told me to toe the line
They said I should be scared of doing things I know you don't like
Saying sorry every day
'cause I was so afraid
That'd you leave me so I left you chasing dreams I never found
But through these tears here on my knees, I'm begging you to come around
Then the God I learned to fear
You showed up and made it clear that
You were there in the darkness
You were there in my pain
You saw me in the valleys and still loved me anyways
It's so nice to finally meet you
Why was I so afraid?
I have so much left to learn
But thank God you're not who I thought you were
I always thought you'd be so angry, instead you're patient and you're kind
You are for me, not against me, for way too long I believed the lie
That there was only so much grace
But now I can finally say that
You were there in the darkness
You were there in my pain
You saw me in the valleys and still loved me anyways
It's so nice to finally to meet you
Why was I so afraid?
I have so much left to learn
But thank God you're not...
Way too holy to want the broken
Way too proud to love the meek
'Cause now I know that what I fear
Is not having you with me 'cause
You were there in the darkness
You were there in my pain
You saw me in the valleys and still loved me anyways
It's so nice to finally to meet you
Why was I so afraid?
I have so much left to learn
But thank God you're not who I thought you were
Closing Thoughts
This song includes a testimony of submission to the Lord that we can use as a prayer for freedom from our personal struggles. Our weaknesses are nothing to hide.
In fact, because of our weaknesses, God's grace and strength are revealed. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song. We can't know everything, and we're not in control. But trusting God gives us assurance that we don't have to be afraid.
The song's message challenges us to think about our doubts. It challenges us to examine how Jesus calls us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection and to remember that He has overcome death and fear.
If you've put all your hope and trust in Jesus, nothing can separate you from His love. If you think about the type of faith we are called to have as believers, it is described as the faith of a mustard seed. This song is full of truth that believers can cling to.
Spend time with God and let Him redeem and restore you. We are not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in all of us who have put our hope and trust in Jesus for salvation.
Olivia Lane has written and sung an exceptional song based on truth that deals with the identity struggle we all face of knowing that as children of God we are made in His image, and we are made whole only by His love.
"Who I Thought You Were" is a biblical truth that all listeners can resonate with. The truth is that Christians are new people on the inside. The truth is that the Holy Spirit gives us new life. We don't have to live anymore with our guilt, fears, perfectionism, or worries. This song is a personal testimony to the power of walking out of the darkness and into God's marvelous light. Sing along and believe these words: "You were there in the darkness/You were there in my pain/You saw me in the valleys and still loved me anyways/It's so nice to finally to meet you/Why was I so afraid? I have so much left to learn/But thank God You're not who I thought You were." 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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