As one of the most thoughtful songwriters on the scene today, Andrew Peterson's music captures feelings, memories, sensations and hopes and propels them into our ears and hearts. On the heels of Peterson's latest release, Resurrection Letters Vol. 1, the NRT staff shares its favorite Andrew Peterson songs, and why they touch our hearts. 

Make sure you check out Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1 here!
 
"The Dark Before the Dawn"

Although there are countless transcendent moments in Andrew Peterson's songwriting that have resonated with me before, I am often drawn back to "The Dark Before the Dawn," which plots the trajectory of redemption for our souls. This is a song of steadfast faith that all will be made right, even when everything still looks wrong. The language used is poetic and masterful at a level that would make C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien proud: "I had a dream that I was waking / At the burning edge of dawn / And all that rain had washed me clean / All the sorrow was gone." There are few songs that capture the gospel's consolation as well as this one.  
"You'll Find Your Way"
Andrew also seems to just sneak up on me. By now, I should be expecting it, but I'm not and I just get instantly sucked in out of nowhere into messages that connect on so many levels. "You'll Find Your Way" is one of those songs. As soon as I heard it, while watching the beautiful music video ], I just lost it. This is a song written from a father to his son as he grows older and explores the "big bad world," as I used to call it when my own son was growing up, both as a joke and a serious warning, without his constant instruction and guidance.

This is a song about personal discovery, about raising and letting go of children, about the inevitable confusion and fear that comes with discovering yourself in a pretty cruel world. But in the end, if love is what we're looking for, then all roads will lead to an open door, and we'll find our way. I'm blessed to have an amazing dad, but Andrew would be a pretty good runner-up and this song proves it.  
"Be Kind to Yourself"

"Be Kind to Yourself" by Andrew Peterson is one of my all-time favorite songs. Andrew has always had a knack for hitting me where I am spiritually and expressing the prayerful yearnings of my heart. His vulnerability and ability to connect with me emotionally in his songs brings me closer to God. As a dad of three daughters, I'm particularly touched by this song as it is written by Andrew to his daughter when she was dealing with self-doubt and being hard on herself. Being married for over twenty years and having three teenaged daughters, I totally connect with that message.

We all get to benefit from the message of learning to love ourselves and our enemies too. The song is based on Luke 6:35 (NIV): "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

This song really opens up my eyes to the truth that feelings of self-loathing and resenting our enemies are actually selfish and not God-honoring. This is an important message for everyone because Jesus tells us to love our enemies as we love ourselves. Since so many of us have trouble loving ourselves, no wonder it is hard to love our enemies. Join in and sing along with the bridge, "How does it end, When the war that you're in, Is just you against you against you? You've gotta learn to love, learn to love, Learn to love your enemies too." Amen to that!  
"Rest Easy" 

This song, from LIght for the Lost Boy, is the first one I'd put on in my son's room when I'd put him to sleep when he was a little younger. The soothing vocals and beautiful message--how love is freely given from God, not earned or strived for--is a perfect one that indeed allows us to rest easy. "You don't have to work so hard / You can rest easy / You don't have prove yourself / You're already mine." That message, coupled with the ambling, soft rock vibe and whispery harmonies truly give me (and all listeners) permission to do what's in the title: Rest easy. 
"Is He Worthy?"

Known for his "gourmet" style of crafting songs that invoke thoughtful meditation from listeners, it's no surprise that Andrew Peterson's latest single "Is He Worthy?" offers much of the same in terms of the lyrical-structure. What I love so much about this song though is the "call and response" aspect to it, played out beautifully as Andrew poses questions of Him-- "Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory / Is He worthy of this?"-- and leaving space for a truly interactive worship moment as listeners arrive at the simple conclusion-- "He is."