Sommer Floyd has done rodeos before. And by done, I mean, she's actually participated in them. In her younger years, it was one of the many things at which she excelled. Now--after some tremendous faith steps have taken her from a medical career to making Christian music--the whole rodeo thing serves as a pretty good metaphor for her life. 

"Rodeos are so neat because they show dedicated individuals taking risks for what they love to do," says Floyd. And as someone who has grown irrevocably closer to Jesus and irreversibly intertwined with musical expression over the last few years, she's taking risks and enjoying the up and down ride that comes with God's call. 

Mixing country and Christian themes doesn't happen a lot, but Floyd has done this while telling her lifelong rodeo story with her latest release, Ray of Light. In ten questions, Floyd talks about her journey from superficial independence to a deep, creative, rewarding dependence on Jesus--and the effect it's had on her music and ministry.

Christian music and country music. Lots of people say the two don't play together. You have a different vision--a different mission. Talk about your musical mission. 

To me, all music speaks to people in a way that words cannot. Whether it's country or Christian music, it's a matter of sending a positive message to people through my songs and between the mix of the two genres, I'm able to reach a wider variety of people, which is awesome. Music is so influential and I'm hoping that through my music that people will become more compassionate for others and seek God's goodness. 
 
So how'd you get here? You grew up as an "all-American girl" with lots of accolades. What did your upbringing teach you?

One of the most important things that I've learned throughout all of my accolades is that I have nothing without Christ. I was the girl growing up who people believed had it all. I had an incredible family who raised me in church, I was blessed with many talents and opportunities, and my future looked very bright. It hit me really hard in my college years though that the most important thing that I needed in my life was not the things of this world that held value. What I needed was a stronger relationship with Christ. Doing things without God's guidance left me angry, heartbroken, lost, and empty. 

I became a single mother at the age 21, but little did I know that God had a new beginning planned for me through it all. God continued to prove to me that He exceeded all my expectations and more. God loved me, accepted me for me, provided strength, and completely redeemed me. I began working in the medical field and stayed for about three years until He guided me into this new chapter in my life to pursue my music ministry. He has continued to guide me and open doors to make this ministry possible, and all glory goes to Him. 

How did music get into the equation?

Music isn't just what I do; it's who I am. Even as a little girl, my parents couldn't take me anywhere without me singing at the top of my lungs songs that I was making up in the moment! As I got older and experienced severe brokenness, my lyrics became much deeper due to a change of heart and lessons learned. After I found out that I was going to be a mother, I was scared and I didn't know how to move forward in a positive way. So many emotions were bottled up inside of me so I began to write them down to help release some of the internal pain I was dealing with. 

I also opened up my bible for the first time in a long time and I began to cry out to God. I needed someone to hold onto that could tell me every day that everything was going to be ok. Shortly after, I picked up my guitar and began putting tunes to my writing. My heart poured out in song at this time and it stayed constant. I began writing many songs a day and it turned into worship for me. Being able to sing my heart out in a pure and honest way to God helped me build strength and find my unending joy. 
 
Despite a lot of highs, you had some lows, too. Talk about how God met you and how that has set you on your current trajectory of ministry and creativity.

I truly believe that God allows us to fall harder and break deeper so that He can use the opportunity to rebuild us in His goodness and His truth. I fell hard and I needed help, I needed guidance, I needed hope. That's exactly what He provided for me. It says in His word that He can turn anything around and make it good, all He asks for in return is for us to love Him and trust in His plan. God never left me, He never gave up on me, it was I who had ventured out. I came to a place where I had not only lost sight of God but also my own self-worth. 

The incredible thing that I've learned about God, though, is that no matter what I say or do, His love for me will never change. God loves me for me and that's the greatest blessing and comfort of all. It's not about me trying to be good enough to be loved by God. God loves me because He is good. God met me in a place of complete brokenness and self-doubt and proved first hand that He is a God who restores and redeems. I believe too that God blesses everyone with gifts and talents and when used for His glory, you overflow with His goodness whether it be in your own creativity or shining a light on others who need it. 

Who inspires you--both musically and personally? 

Kari Jobe in a huge inspiration to me. Her song "I Am Not Alone" was a song that helped me when I felt broken and alone. It's not every day you find a woman who's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. And her voice is amazing. My family has always inspired me as well. No matter what I go through in life, I know that they will always support me and love me unconditionally. I have a mother who has always said: "no dream is too big to achieve." To say the least, God blessed me when He placed me in this family of mine.

My daughter is my favorite blessing of all. She is a reminder to me every day of how much God loves me because I know my love for my daughter is only a tiny fraction compared to God's love. She brings so much joy into my life and teaches me how to treasure every moment. Although I am the parent, I'm always learning something new being her mother. In the same way that my daughter trusts me to take care of her every need, she inspires me to continue putting my faith and trust in God no matter the circumstance. What I want my daughter to see in me, is a woman who always pursued God and His plan no matter what sacrifices had to be made. She has a heart for music as well, so I'm excited to see what God has planned!
 
Ray of Light is your latest project, where you share bold messages of faith. How did you set out to write the album, how long did it take, and what were you trying to achieve with it?

I actually began writing songs for the album "Ray of Light" before I even knew that's what I was doing! I started writing whenever I found out that I was going to be a mother but not until about 4 years later did God reveal the bigger picture of my music ministry. I had at least 50 songs written by the time I started recording at Dark Horse Recording Studio in Franklin, Tennessee. I was able to work with a writer in Tennessee who helped me narrow it down to 12 songs for the album and I also threw in an old hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." I recorded two singles along with my album as well. One song is dedicated to the men and women in service and the other is a wedding song I wrote for my brother and his wife. It took about two years to completely finish the project. 

I know that in this world there are a lot of people out there hurting and lost. Everyone's rock bottom is different as well but I truly believe when you reach a point of losing sight of your own self-worth, you've lost all hope and that's the worst place you can be. I know how that feels and I have a heart for helping people. I know that through Christ anything is possible and I'm a living testimony of that promise.

I want to share the good news that no matter what we face, we're never alone and God provides the strength for us to stand. God's promises uplifted me and provided me strength when I felt I had nothing left and I pray that my music will help strengthen the desire for people to seek that relationship with Christ. You're never too broken, too lost, too small, or too weak to do big things for God. He is enough, He is our stronghold, and He is the only thing in our lives that will never change! 

What was the most difficult song for you to write and/or share? Tell us about it. 

The most difficult song for me to write and share was the song "Stronger." I wrote the song "Stronger" after finding out that a dear friend of mine was battling leukemia. We all wonder why bad things happen to good people and it leaves us all in a place of confusion, frustration, and sadness. I found myself in a place where I kept asking God, "why?" This has been the hardest song emotionally for me to get through as well because when someone you love hurts, you hurt too. The neat thing about this song though is that every time I listen to it, I'm reminded of what I learned throughout Cindy's circumstance. God never said this was going to be easy. He doesn't always give us answers right away, but no matter how out of control things may seem, He is still in control. 

Second Corinthians 12:9 says that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we are falling into pieces, we know that God will catch us. Cindy just recently lost the fight with Leukemia and went home to be with Jesus, but her story and her faith in God inspired so many people who have been changed forever by it. She was used by God in miraculous ways to change lives. It doesn't just have to be a disease either that someone is facing, in ALL things we go through, God is with us and He is our strength. 
 
You made a decision to go full-time with music. Talk about that decision and how you came to it!

When I was working in the medical field, often times I would feel sadness because I felt that the people coming in and out needed more than just medical attention. People have a greater need for restoration internally than externally I learned. I loved the people I worked with and I developed strong relationships with my patients. Life was going really well for my daughter and I both, but I felt God really tugging at my heart to step out of my comfort zone and pursue my music, but I didn't feel that was very logical as a single mother. 

I didn't feel good enough to be a Christian artist, although it was always a dream of mine. There were times I recall that I had to work hard to keep myself from speaking God's word to patients. I loved them so much that I wanted to share what Christ had done for me. Eventually, God was speaking to my heart so strongly that at work I began reading my bible and writing songs during my down time. 

I was about to head to work one morning and I heard God's voice loud and clear that He wanted me to do my music so I responded back, "if my music is really what You want me to do, then make it loud and clear." Sure enough that very day, God sent a confirmation and I put in my two weeks. During this time I had to learn how to trust in God on a whole new level and He continued to lay down the foundation for my ministry to progress. A couple weeks after my last day at work, my mother and I were on a plane heading to Tennessee to meet my producer Steven V. Taylor. 

What have you learned about a life of taking risks and making the most of things?

I have learned that all risks are worth taking if you're doing them for Christ. If He says go, I go. As long as I have Christ living in me, I have everything I need no matter what earthly things are destroyed or lost. 
 
What's next for you in 2017? Touring? More new music? How can people be praying for you?

We are definitely working on getting a tour set up. We've stayed in constant prayer for what God wants to do next because this ministry is guided by Him. I know in my heart that God will continue to open doors and that He has a much bigger plan than I can even imagine. We've already connected with so many people and I'm just excited and humbled to be used by God. The writer in me never stops so I continue to write more songs, but I'm in no hurry to record anytime soon. I'm focusing more so on the album Ray of Light and what God wants to do with it because I know He's not finished yet. 

Prayers for safe travels are always greatly appreciated! Prayers for God to continue to guide this ministry opening doors that no man can close, and closing doors that no man can open. Also, I pray for the people that I will be ministering to. I pray for their hearts to be fulfilled with Christ and His everlasting love.