The release, Boxes, by pop artist Whitney Asher (also known as burwell), can be described as an intimate and personal worship experience with an ethereal tone. If you enjoy the singer-songwriters TAYA, Kristene DiMarco, and Ellie Holcomb, burwell's album is an excellent addition to your music collection.
Whitney changed her name to burwell in 2016 to pretend her rough past didn't happen. In detail, her website explains, "Realizing [burwell's] past will always be a part of her, she is finding beauty through reflection. Like withered boxes in the attic, thoughts of unpacking memories can feel almost insurmountable. On a journey to find life after loss, burwell's healing process has included grief counseling, prayer, journaling, so many walks, and music that has helped her get in tune with her emotions; this song and EP have undoubtedly been a huge part of that."
burwell's engaging music and thought-provoking lyrics are something to savor. Her soothing vocals will remind you of some of my favorite artists like Ellie Holcomb, JJ Heller, and Audrey Assad--both in vocal tone and subject matter. I had the chance to speak with burwell's lead singer Whitney Asher about her stirring song, "In The Dark."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
The songs in this music project were on my heart before I had the chance to write them, so it was easy at first. Beginning to open up enough to share these songs has required a lot of letting go and has been a part of the grief process for me. I'm grateful for the texture it's added to my life and the whole process.
I wrote this song after I lost my mom, and I struggled with depression. Immersing yourself in grief is a delicate balance. I fell into depression in 2022, and I was really spiraling. My enthusiasm for life started to fade. Everything seemed dark. My world was colored differently. When your mind goes to that dark place, your perspective gets thrown off. When I look back now, I realize I also was dealing with the guilt of how I was processing my grief and that I wasn't having enough faith in God's healing. I should have been praying more. I remember feeling I was doing everything I could and it wasn't working.
Life after death is a strange concept, but it's been part of my journey to realize what 'being okay' looks like, day to day. For those who face loss, love can help us keep living. I had never dealt with losing anyone--that is, going through grief. Loss never felt relevant to me. In hindsight, I realized that this moment with God was a preliminary form of His grace about what I was about to go through.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
John 14:1-4 (NKJV): "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Matthew 11:28 (NIV): "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Psalm 55:22 (NIV): "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
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."
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."
Psalm 147:3 (NKJV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Romans 8:11 (VOICE): "If the Spirit of the One who resurrected Jesus from the dead lives inside of you, then you can be sure that He who raised Him will cast the light of life into your mortal bodies through the life-giving power of the Spirit residing in you."
Psalm 46:1 (NIV): "The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble."
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV): "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV): "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
What is the takeaway message?
I've needed the prayerful words of this song "In The Dark" as I've had to journey out in the unknown and start rebuilding my life knowing my heart is still full of my mom's love. This song is a tribute to my mother while finding my strength in pushing through this difficult time. It's a triumphant step forward into the sunlight following unthinkable pain. I've struggled with my own mental health challenges, and the Lord knew I needed this song before I did. When my mom fell ill, it was the hardest thing. I didn't want to deal with it--none of us did--but we chose to. It taught me the importance of being there for people who matter the most to us.
I want listeners to feel like they have a safe place to feel whatever they're feeling--especially if they've been holding their emotions back for a while. I want them to experience the hope that leads them to find peace throughout the process. I love a good sad song, but upbeat/hopeful songs have a place too. I picture an awakening with the release, to walk through it all & feel everything, especially hope.
Lyrics
I'm caught up in a power struggle
I run away at the first sign of trouble
Refusing to let go
Making plans the way I wanted
I set the pace but You were forgotten
Now I'm out in the unknown
I'll stay
I'll wait
You won't leave me in the dark
Love will meet me where You are
Call me out to wide open spaces
Making room for wonder to awaken
You won't leave me in the dark
In the dark
Waiting in anticipation
To follow You wherever You take me
You're not gonna lead me astray
You'll stay
You'll wait
Closing Thoughts
burwell expresses her prayers to God, allowing listeners to eavesdrop on her offerings and captivating ballads. She is an anointed singer-songwriter, and she has a profound way of bringing me closer to God with her poignant words, tender singing, and inspirational truths.
God wants to hear from you. Get to that place where you are in humble submission to God. Don't play it safe but take a chance and ask for God to be real in your life. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to Him. More than just intellectual assent, God wants to be at the center of your heart's desires. We change our minds quickly, but our hearts are more devoted.
Remember that Earth isn't your permanent home. Your freedom from the restlessness of this world will come when you enter the true rest that can only come from living eternally with Jesus Christ.
We're all a work in progress. So, have faith and let the Lord work all things together for good. Spend time with God and let Him redeem and restore you. We're not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. He wants you to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in those who've put their hope and trust in Jesus for our salvation.
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.
God will be there to pick us up when we fall. The challenge for me when I listen to this song is to pick an area of my life that I've been trying to control. And instead, step out and put my hope and trust in Him.
"In The Dark" connects to the biblical truth found in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
God's love is never-ending. He's our refuge and our strength. His resurrection power from the Holy Spirit, that same power that defeated death and raised Jesus from the grave, is available to all who follow Jesus.
So, allow the Holy Spirit to cast the light of life into your mortal body. If you're struggling with depression or anxiety, please know with certainty these life-giving words: "Waiting in anticipation/To follow You wherever You take me/You're not gonna lead me astray/You'll stay/You'll wait/You won't leave me in the dark." 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!THE YEAR THAT WAS
Top 10 Editorial 2024
NRT Staff interviews, devotionals, and editorial that took off this year
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!THE YEAR THAT WAS
Top 10 News 2024
The top Christian music news headlines of the year
NEW!THE YEAR THAT WAS
Top 10 Songs 2024
NRT's Kevin Davis shares his favorite songs from the past year
NEW!THE YEAR THAT WAS
Top 10 Albums 2024
NRT's Kevin Davis shares his favorite albums from the past year
NEW!NRT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Amanda Jenkins
The Chosen's Bible Series author talks to NRT
