While attending Nashville's Belmont University, The Glorious Unseen's frontman, Ben Crist, struggled with a big question that haunts so many college students during the course of their studies: What am I supposed to do with my life? After college, Ben starting meeting in a living room with a few people, and the experience certainly wasn't church as usual. In fact, because of that little Sunday night community of believers, Crist wound up becoming a worship leader by accident.

As Ben grew in confidence as a worship leader, he began penning his own praise songs. Ben’s music wasn’t about to have a small audience for long, however. Once a representative from Tooth & Nail Records stumbled upon a recording of Ben’s original songs, he knew this was worship music that would resonate with a unique audience. Now as the band The Glorious Unseen, Ben and his band, (which includes guitarist Ryan Stubbs, bassist Ben Harms, drummer Jon Todryk and pianist Patrick Copeland), have written a new collection of authentic reflections on the ups and downs of the Christian life, titled The Hope That Lies In You.

Serving as an anthem to the questioning soul is the song “Heavy Hearted,” the album’s first single that mixes a happy, melodic sound with pensive, thought-provoking lyrics.

I got the great opportunity to meet up with Ben Crist in person to interview him about his song "Heavyhearted." You can listen to our entire interview here.

The album’s first single, “Heavy Hearted,” talks about God’s grace in the midst of wandering and shame. Would you please share about a time when you’ve felt heavyhearted and how you worked through it?

There are times every day where I’m struggling with feelings of being disconnected from God’s presence. Certainly, there are times when I feel this more than other times, but really, the deal is that God wants to pour out His love for me at every moment. He always wants to take me back in the midst of my struggle--in the midst of my shame--He wants to call me back to him right now! Even now, He is calling me to his heart! He is constant; he has no end. His love is totally huge and bigger than anything we have ever experienced.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song?

The song comes from that place where we feel disconnected from God. The theme of the song is that God takes us back even during our times of doubt. We ask God questions about ourselves, like in the song "why do I always feel like I’m Your disgrace?" Although we feel we’ve let God down and our shame makes us feel left out, God takes us back, no matter what we’ve done.

Please tell me about any scripture verses that you used to write the song?

Matthew 11:29-30: Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (NKJV)

What do you consider to be the takeaway message for listeners?

I had those verses in mind when I wrote the song, particularly the bridge which has so much power when I sing “It's so crazy - how You sustain me! When I am down in the dirt - You come and claim me! Father, Your burden is light. I need Your love tonight. I'm reaching out to You.” I feel the power of God when I’m praising Him, but I get depressed sometimes at home in everyday life. God comes and claims me in my darkest place. When I am in communion with God, it is joyful and not a burden. The end result of my soul-searching in this song is reaching towards God, which makes it a happy song!

Here are the lyrics:

What is the meaning of grace; when it speaks to my darkest place?
Why do I always feel like I'm Your disgrace?
I'm sick of saving face. When I feel so heavyhearted, I know You're taking me back!
When You take me as I am; it's like the sunlight gracing the land.
When I feel heavyhearted - please, come and take my hand. I'm heavyhearted again.
Where is the message of hope; when I'm sick and I'm all alone?
Why do I listen to doubt? Why do I shut You out? You're what I need the most.
Though I feel so heavyhearted, I know You’re taking me back!
It's so crazy - how You sustain me! When I am down in the dirt - You come and claim me! Father, Your burden is light. I need Your love tonight. I'm reaching out to You.

This is one of the most worshipful and introspective albums I’ve heard this year. Whether as an album to set the mood for reflection and worship or for personal times of devotion, I rate The Hope That Lies In You highly for fans of ambient worship. We’ve all been in that place where we feel unworthy of God’s love and "down in the dirt". God promises us in Matthew 11:29-30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. God comes and claims us in our darkest place. When we are in communion with God, it is joyful and not a burden.

You can listen to the song here.