Contemporary Christian artist Hannah Kerr first captured listeners' hearts with her debut album, Overflow, featuring hit singles like "Your Love Defends Me" and "Warrior." Known for her rich, pure vocals and uplifting songwriting, Hannah's music delivers grace-filled messages of hope, addressing life's pressures through faith.
Following the success of Overflow, Hannah has released her much-anticipated second studio album, As I Am. The album reflects her personal and spiritual growth, shaped by earning a degree in Christian leadership and marrying her husband, Jason. Hannah shares her journey on her website: "It’s taken me a long time to realize that God isn’t going to ever give up on me. He’s patient with my brokenness and loving even when I don’t feel lovable.”
Hannah continues exploring themes of vulnerability, grace, and God’s unwavering love with As I Am, offering powerful songs like "Changed." I talked with her about the inspiration behind the album and her standout track, "As I Am."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
This is one of the most personal and honest songs I’ve ever released. These last few years, I’ve been on a journey of realizing that God truly loves me as I am. Growing up, I thought I had to be the best version of myself to earn God’s love. I’ve spent so much time thinking I needed to be perfect for God to love me. The more I’ve listened to His voice, the more I’ve realized His love is about His goodness, not mine. He sees the good, the bad, and everything in between, and His love never changes. He knows us better than anyone and loves us more than anyone else could.
The song felt like it wrote itself the day I met with my co-writers. It’s one of my favorite songs, as it reminds me that I’m singing it over myself. I struggle with anxiety and feel insecure, and I need the reminder of this song. It’s been remarkable to get to share this song. A lot of people need to hear this message. Consider the love of God. It’s unconditional. He loves us just as we are because of what Jesus has done for us.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 139:14(NIV): "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:17-18(NKJV): "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with You."
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."
Jeremiah 29:11(VOICE): "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Eternal, "plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope--never forget that."
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."
Proverbs 3:5-6(NKJV): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
1 John 4:18-19(NKJV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."
What is the takeaway message?
We love because He first loved us. It’s God’s love upon us that compels us to love others. I lead worship and write songs because God loves me, not so that God would love me. That’s been a massive shift in my life. Waking up to my identity and being beloved as a child of God has been a massive switch in my life. It helps me better serve God where I am and leave the results up to Him. I’m letting God love me just as I am.
This album is so special to me, and I can't wait for people to hear it. I wrote these songs over the past few years, going through seasons of change, fear, joy, and growth. Through it all, I've learned that I can do nothing to earn God's love. He sees every detail of my life and doesn't change His mind about me. He loves me as I am.
Lyrics
Sometimes, I tell myself That Your love is waiting on my heart to fix itself As if I don't need Your help Like there's a thousand miles Between who I turned out to be and who You had in mind I'll deserve Your love when I'm
A little less anxious, a little more kind Get a little less wrong, a little more right But the deeper I let you into my life The more I realize
You love me as I am God I don't have to hide You see every detail And ya don't change your mind You love me As I am, as I am As I am And I don't have to earn this That's what makes it grace God, you see the worst of me, and don't walk away You love me as I am, as I am As I am, as I am
Wish I could see like You Cuz maybe then I'd finally love me the way You do Even if I never learn how to
Be a little less anxious, a little more kind Get a little less wrong, a little more right It was always about Your goodness Not mine
You love me as I am God I don't have to hide You see every detail And ya don't change your mind You love me As I am, as I am As I am And I don't have to earn this That's what makes it grace God, you see the worst of me, and don't walk away You love me as I am, as I am As I am, as I am (As I am, as I am)
With all my flaws Before I change a single thing You love me For who I am, not who I'll be Right here, right now You love me With all my flaws Before I change a single thing You love me For who I am, not who I'll be Right here, right now You love me as I am
You love me as I am God I don't have to hide You see every detail And You don't change your mind You love me As I am, as I am As I am And I don't have to earn this That's what makes it grace God, you see the worst of me, and don't walk away You love me as I am, as I am As I am, as I am As I am, as I am You love me, You love me As I am
Closing Thoughts
"As I Am" is best described as a stirring, empowering anthem to sing over ourselves and against fear, worry, and anxiety. Hannah sets the tone with the opening lyrics: “Sometimes I tell myself/That Your love is waiting on my heart to fix itself/As if I don't need Your help/Like there's a thousand miles/Between who I turned out to be and who You had in mind/I'll deserve Your love when I'm a little less anxious, a little more kind.” Musically, the song's intensity matches the lyrics, leaving a lasting impact similar to “Your Love Defends Me.”
“As I Am” powerfully expresses the truth of our earthly challenges. It resonated with me as I realized that Jesus commands us to trust God completely, regardless of our circumstances, personal distractions, or concerns. The song is a bold declaration of faith and the importance of letting God's plans be revealed in your life. The Bible says we are all sinners and have fallen short. We should serve God because of who He is, not what He does for us. God doesn't promise to spare us from pain, but we must trust Him. You have to trust Him, wait on Him, and allow Him to plan your life.
"As I Am" reflects the thematic and biblical proclamations in Psalm 139. Several scripture passages discuss our identity in Christ; this song is similar. After repeated listens, the song's truth becomes more profound, accompanied by the comforting messages of the Bible that God is love, and we love because He first loved us.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” God tells us in the Bible that we can do anything in Christ with faith. The impactful lyrics convicted me, and I find immense comfort in this song filled with biblical truth. The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and we no longer have to live with our guilt, fears, perfectionism, or worries. We are new creations in Christ.
This beautiful song of encouragement reminds us to live as a light and know we can do anything through Christ. God will never fail us or forsake us until the work of the Lord is finished. According to Jeremiah 29:11, God has great plans for all His children.
Being a Christian father of three young daughters, this song reflects the yearning for Jesus to make us whole, and I also pray for my daughters to feel this in their hearts. I love how this song celebrates God's sovereignty, professing that God is the ultimate ruler over our lives. God doesn’t make bad things happen to us. He came to give us life and to allow us to live with Him eternally by trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation. God is more significant than any calamity we experience in this world. His love never fails.
This is one of my favorite songs of the year. If you are looking for a firm foundation in your life, make these lyrics your prayer: “You love me as I am God/I don't have to hide/You see every detail/And You don't change your mind/You love me/As I am, as I am.” 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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