Colton Dixon's seventh-place finish on Season 11 of American Idol was one of the most surprising and memorable Idol cuts of all time, but it was only the beginning for the artist. Dixon released his debut full-length album A Messenger, featuring the hit songs "You Are" and "Never Gone," in January 2013. That album takes its title from the Bible passage John 13:16: "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." 

Colton Dixon returned with a new set of songs in August 2014 with his sophomore album Anchor, including the lead single "More of You." I had the chance to speak with Colton about "Through All of It."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

This song was written by a friend of mine, and I remember hearing it for the first time and it was kind of like when I first heard "Let Them See You." I've only not written two of the songs I've recorded for my albums, that song and this song. When I heard this song, I knew instantly that people needed to hear this. 

Ben Glover wrote the song, and he said he'd like me to record it. He told me this is one of his favorite songs he's ever written. Listening to the song, it resonated on so many levels. It's a simple song, but it connects deeply. It's good to know that through the ups and downs and good and bad and ugly of life, God's there through all of it. No matter what you are going through, we have this hope and trust that not only is God with us, but He's also waiting for us on the other side. 

That's such an encouraging thought. It allows us to go about our walks by faith and deal with our struggles or whatever situation we're in that much stronger.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Psalm 104:34 (VOICE): May the thoughts of my mind be pleasing to Him, for the Eternal has become my happiness.

Ephesians 4:6 (NKJV): One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

2 Corinthians 10:2-5 (NIV): I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world; we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

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.

Romans 11:36 (NKJV): For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

What is the takeaway message?

The obvious example of how my life is reflected in this song was my journey on American Idol. There's so much unknown in that, and I didn't know what I'd be doing each day I was part of that experience, or what would happen the day after it ended. This song is really trying to make it known that life is an ongoing conversation with God. That's what a relationship is. It's not just going to God when you are in trouble asking Him to bail you out. I'm sure we've all had that moment. That's not what it is about. We need to come to God for the good things as well as the bad things. 

During American Idol, I had a strong bond with the Lord. There was so much going on, and I knew everything was out of my hands. Everything is out of our hands, and that was made well known to me. It was so cool, and those were some of the favorite times of my life so far, because my bond with the Lord was so strong. I was talking with Him all of the time, and I am now as well. It is so real and awesome. 

As I was being presented with options to make decisions in gray areas, knowing I could go to God for anything to know Him personally and to make Him happy and proud of me, the world was looking on as well. I want to be an example of how we can come to God for everything. God has been walking me through what He wants me to do with the opportunities He's opened the doors to in my life. I want people to be encouraged when they hear my songs. 

This album came from a personal place of my realization of how desperately I need Jesus on a daily basis. Throughout the course of this album, I give people the challenge to realize that it's now or never. Jesus is our Anchor. He's with us through all of it.

Lyrics:
There are days I've taken more than I can give
And there are choices that I made
That I wouldn't make again
I've had my share of laughter
Of tears and troubled times
This is has been the story of my life

I have won and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy, I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it

You were there when it all came down on me
And I was blinded by my fear
And I struggled to believe
But in those unclear moments
You were the One keeping me strong
This is how my story's always gone

I have won and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy, I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Through all of it

And this is who You are
More constant than the stars up in the sky
All these years of our lives
I, I look back and I see You
Right now I still do
And I'm always going to

I have won and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy
I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it 

The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can trust God. As the song says, "You were the One keeping me strong." As followers of Jesus, we know that we can trust God's Word. We are all a work in progress. Have faith and let God "work all things together for good." Spend time with God, and let Him redeem and restore you. 

We are not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what's He's started in all of us who've put all of our hope and trust in Jesus for our salvation. God is bigger than any calamity that we experience in this world. His love never fails! Thank You Jesus! Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
 
The song is beautiful and encourages me in how much God loves me. This gorgeous song connects to multiple Bible passages. That's what Colton Dixon's music ministry is all about, loving God with all of his heart, expressed in one catchy song after another. God loves you so much. Lean on Him, and He'll give you strength. 

This song is all for God's glory. When we are in communion with God, it is joyful and not a burden. I sing along with the truth of this song at the top of my lungs, rejoicing in the lyrics: "I have won and I have lost, I got it right sometimes, but sometimes I did not, Life's been a journey, I've seen joy, I've seen regret, oh and You have been my God through all of it." Amen to that!

(Watch Colton sing the song here.)