Spotlight

A lot of times when an artist writes a song from personal experiences, there are circumstances that turn that song into a whole new meaning.  The same goes for writing, as often times I’ve found that when I begin writing an article, it doesn’t end up anywhere near where I thought it was going to go, and a whole new picture appears taken from a different view point.

Today’s spotlight artist Natalie Grant had such a view change with her Grammy nominated song Clean.

What was dead now lives again
My heart’s beating, beating inside my chest
Oh I’m coming alive with joy and destiny
‘Cause You’re restoring me piece by piece

There’s nothing too dirty
That You can’t make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean

Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I am clean

Natalie originally wrote the song for a friend who was dealing with memories of abuse as a child… but little did she know that singing this song again would bring a whole new meaning in her own life as she went through her own fears and battles when she found out she had thyroid cancer.   The chances of losing her career were high as the thyroid gland is wrapped in four nerves — two that make the vocal chords move and two that change the pitch of the voice.   Thank God that she not only is clean of cancer, but her voice is as strong as ever.

There’s nothing extraordinary about Grant’s life, except that she originally studied to become a school teacher, and figured her musical gift was something meant only for sharing in church.

Except for the fact that she married a Canadian singer/songwriter/producer who happened to be up for the same Grammy nomination of Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.  Natalie for her song Clean, which she wrote alone, and husband Bernie Herms as a songwriter on Casting Crowns’ song Oh My Soul.

Except for the fact that when they were married, she was told she’d never be able to have children, has three beautiful daughters whom she thanks God for His “coolest shock of their lives.”

And except for the fact that she has been involved in the fight against human trafficking and founded The Home Foundation in 2005.  The Foundation became  Abolition International, an international organization with the aim of eradicating sex trafficking through aftercare accreditation, advocacy, and education and provision of restoration homes for victims of sex trafficking.  And since 2014, Abolition International joined with Hope for Justice, and Transitions Global  to make a truly international impact to change lives and fight world wide abuses.

I first heard about her work in human trafficking about a year ago from listening to my Christian music station where the morning crew were talking about a run for Hope International, Team Freedom with Natalie Grant.

This is worth listening to, the interview with Carmen from Joy FM…

She desires to see past the personal to the Person, and I think that’s why I love the song More than Anything so much, because it helps others to have the same desire…

Natalie Grant is an artist who is able to see God moving in lives and in a world bigger than our own.  Her work in music is used as a platform for reaching and impacting more than just fans, and everything she does whether on stage or in her personal and organization life, is found with a message of hope and love which points to our Savior.

Have a blessed Sunday all.