"Who I Am" is the lead single from former Group 1 Crew front woman Blanca's debut solo EP, Who I Am. Blanca made the unprecedented decision to step out in faith to chase God's calling on her life through a solo career. Through the process, the powerhouse vocalist has learned a lot about her identity and the way God sees her, a message which in turn she wants to share with her listeners.
 
Blanca has been singing these powerful truths out on the road as part of Winter Jam 2015. The tour and EP are introducing a new side of Blanca, taking her sound to soul/pop territory with some hip hop influences, which opens the door to new collaborations.

"This new chapter in my life and career has been amazing," Blanca says. "I feel that with every song written, and every show performed, God is stretching me, and showing me more and more of who I am, and what He has created me for. I also feel incredibly blessed to embark on this new journey with my family right by my side."  I had the great chance to speak with Blanca about her song.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

This has been one of the most meaningful songs in my songwriting process. As an artist with Group 1 Crew, stepping away from that and doing my own thing was a really scary transition for me. I made that decision when I was 8 months pregnant, and I was leaving a comfort zone from all I'd ever done as an artist.
 
Stepping away from Group 1 Crew, I felt like since my identity was found in that, I started to experience fear and doubt and wonder if I made a bad decision. I wondered what would happen if I failed.
 
All of those thoughts took over and made me doubt what God had created me for and what He was guiding me along to do. After some writing and devotional time with God and my husband, and a lot of tears, God began to show me again that my identity is found in Him. I needed that reminder. This song is a beautiful reminder of who we are in Christ.
 
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."

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."
 
What is the takeaway message?

Sometimes we have moments in our lives where changes or transitions bring about fear and doubt, but we must always remember that in Him, we are enough. When we remind ourselves of who we are, we truly find out who we are. We are His.
 
You don't have to be a certain somebody in order to find yourself. I thought I needed to be a certain type of artist, to have success, and I realized that God called me to be who He created me to be. Be authentic, be real. Share your story and the things you've gone through to inspire people to trust in God.
 
That's where the song came from. I am strong, and beautiful, and good enough because I am found in Him. That's part of my message, and that's what I want to share with people. I'm so grateful that I've been given this opportunity to share this message.
 
Especially teenage girls like your 15-year-old daughter. Society is throwing so much at you, and when you are a Christian, there's a pressure of needing to remember who God says you are instead of what the world is telling you. Past that, as a new Mommy, I am 28 now, and as a parent, we need to hear that as well. Somewhere down the line, people forget their own worth, or place it in their kids, or haven't felt beautiful as they've gotten older. We need to constantly remember that God loves us and made us, and we are accepted just the way we are and we have a purpose.
 
Lyrics:
Another voice, another choice
To listen to words somebody said
Another day 
I replay
One too many doubts inside my head

Am I strong 
Beautiful
Am I good enough
Do I belong
After all
That I've said and done
Is it real
When I feel
I don't measure up
Am I loved

I'm running to the One who knows me
Who made every part of me in His hands
I'm holding to the One who holds me
'Cause I know whose I am, I know who I am
I am sure I am Yours

Turning down 
Tuning out
Every single word
That caused me pain
Unashamed
And unafraid
'Cause I believe You mean it when You say 

I am strong
Beautiful
I am good enough
I belong
After all
'Cause of what You've done
This is real
What I feel
No one made it up
I am loved

I am sure I am Yours
I know who I am
I am sure I am Yours

Fearfully
Wonderfully
Perfectly
You have made me

I'm running to the One who knows me
I'm holding to the One who holds me

I am sure I am Yours
And I know who I am
 
I try to tell my daughters Natalie, Cassandra, and Bethany how much I love them every day, and that they are all truly beautiful because of their identity in Christ. For me, having three young daughters, it is so important for them to hear this message. They need to look so far beyond what the world says and really find their true identities in the Lord.
 
I had the opportunity to see Blanca perform this song at Winter Jam with my oldest daughter, and these new songs really capture Blanca's heart and voice having gotten to know her over the years in her time with Group 1 Crew. Similar to the vibe and message in her standout songs "Walking on the Stars," "Beautiful" and "Fearless," these songs are also about finding our identity in Christ, and not allowing doubts and fears to control our lives but instead know we are sons and daughters of God, and He created each one of us in His image.
 
The song is a great reminder of the kind of heart we should have both as people valued by God and as Christians who can communicate our value to other people. For me, songs like "Who I Am" provide opportunities for God to whisper to me my true identity. It's not found in what I do or don't do, but in who I am, and more importantly to Whom I belong. We can all celebrate the truth behind this song. We are fearfully, wonderfully and perfectly made, singing to God with all of our hearts: "You have made me." Amen to that!
 
(Listen to the song here.)