Let it be Glory is the fifth studio album by 33Miles, now available everywhere. The band is comprised of Chris Lockwood and Jason Barton, and they have had several hit songs, including "What Could Be Better," "One Life To Love," "Jesus Calling" and "Arms That Hold The Universe."

 

Although some of their previous albums have been tinged with a bit of a country rock feel, resembling Rascal Flatts, their participation as worship leaders in their church has led to this new album being recorded with worship songs for the church. The album includes eight original songs, bookended by kicking off with their own version of the well-known song "All My Fountains" (Chris Tomlin), and closing with a great modern re-write of the hymn of the faith, "I Need Thee." 

 

Musically, they have found their own groove resembling a range from Train to Chris Tomlin, with all of the songs featuring their signature harmonic vocal blend. I had the opportunity to interview Jason Barton from 33Miles about their great new original worship song "Let it be Glory." Here are the answers to the questions I asked him.

 

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.
 

The message of the song and the album is connected. We set out to write a worship album. Not that our other albums haven't been worshipful. With this album we wanted to service the Church with songs that could be used on Sunday mornings. In writing the song, we were looking at the last two years of where God has brought us as a band, with our lives on the road and the things we had experienced, and the changes in the music industry.

We were no longer signed to our record label which we had been with from the beginning. We were walking into uncharted territory. Some of it was rough and not fun to be in, and we found ourselves in situations professionally having no idea that it would look that way. Our heart is to worship, and we wanted to write a worship album as new territory for us. In doing so, in writing this particular song it was a great summary of what we wanted to say with the entire album. The song is based on the 2nd Corinthians passage where Paul talks about being struck down, but not destroyed. Then he went on to say that all of the things we are facing are leading to a pending glory that awaits us in Christ Jesus. That passage made us realize that everything is going to make sense one day. 

 

2nd Corinthians 4:7-11 (NKJV): "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

 

...and 2nd Corinthians 4:15-18 (NKJV): "For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

 

What is the takeaway message for listeners about the song and album?
 

At the end of that passage, as Paul is wrapping up his thoughts, he says it is all leading to glory. We need to focus not on what is seen, but what is unseen. What is seen is temporal, but what is unseen is forever. In the very first line of the song, we wrote, "We may be troubled, there will be trials, but we are not alone." That's a promise that God gives us. In saying that, it took us to a place of knowing we needed to call the album Let it be Glory.

To me, that is a cry of worship. That has affected me personally. By writing the song and making that my anthem has affected my personal walk with the Lord. Just to be able to wake up every day and say I have a plan for the day, but God, let Your plans take over my plans. No matter what happens, at the end of the day I want to say, let it be for Your glory. Some days that's easy to do, when everything's going right. Other days, when life hasn't turned out like you thought, it's harder. I wear a bracelet on my left arm that says "let it be glory" to remind myself all day long in the midst of the struggles and the not so great situations to walk through it the best I can and to turn it over to God.

 

What I hope people take away from the album is "let it be glory." I'd like for that phrase to be in the forefront of people's minds all of the time. Also, remember to remain faithful. God remains faithful even when we are faithless. God makes a way for us when things seem impossible, God can do the impossible.

A lot of times, I lose sight of the promises of God and think they are for someone else. I get caught up in my own drama and my own situation and don't take hold of God's promises for me. I forget that God has a plan for my life, and He is faithful. He will make a way, and I need Him more than anything in this world. When I have God, I have everything. We want to remind people of God's promises. When we remember those things, it helps us walk, it helps us stand, it helps us be an example for our kids. The album is full of God's promises.

 

 

We may not understand everything we're going through, and we may not understand God's plans for our lives sometimes. It may not look how we thought it would look, but there is peace in knowing as a believer that the end is in sight and one day it will all make sense. It's a huge thing to know that God is using everything for His glory. No matter what is going on in your life, you can say let it be to God's glory, whether it is good or bad.

 

This is an important message for the church, and it also connects to the Bible passage, 1 Corinthians 10:31: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." This song relates to every listener in some way. Whether you are a teacher, or a parent, or a salesperson, or a musician, whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. 

 

This is also a statement we all need to apply in whatever ministry God has called you to. Serving others is serving God. He tells us in His Word in Matthew 25:40: The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me." This song is a great reminder that no matter what you are doing, "let it be blessing, let it be honor, let it be glory!" Amen to that!

 

(You can listen to the song here.)