Over the past 10 years, I've interviewed Skillet's lead singer John Cooper about their music for my Behind the Song devotionals. I've always enjoyed their biblical viewpoints in their songwriting. Recently, I've been speaking to Skillet drummer and vocalist Jen Ledger--or LEDGER--about her music. She's building a successful solo career, separate from the band.
LEDGER joined Skillet when she was just 18 years old. Since then, she's come into her own. She recently stepped out in faith and released her debut solo project, LEDGER EP. This remarkable EP features "Bold" and "Not Dead Yet." LEDGER continues to release new music: "Completely" and, most recently, "My Arms."
LEDGER's heart behind her songs and how her faith and biblical understanding has guided her in moments of anxiety and fear is beautifully expressed in these catchy songs. I love how LEDGER phrases biblical truth in vertically-directed songs to encourage and edify listeners to live for God. I had the chance to speak with Jen about "My Arms."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
"My Arms" is about those moments we have in life where we don't feel like we can get through whatever it is we're going through. Maybe it's a loss. For each individual person, we have those times where we don't know how to move past what we're facing. A piece of scripture that spoke to me for this song is 2 Corinthians 12:9. It's in those moments where we don't know what to do that God shows His strength in our weakness. It's more real and more evident when you need a miracle. When you need Him to come through.
I also thought of Matthew 11:28. As Christians, I almost wonder if God brings us to those moments to remind us of how much we need Him. This song is about those moments where the burden is too heavy. But, it's light when He carries it for us. God brings us to the places where He can show up. That's what I wanted this song to be about.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Zephaniah 3:17(VOICE): "The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband."
2 Corinthians 12:9(NKJV): "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Matthew 11:28(NIV): "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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."
Isaiah 41:10(NKJV): "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Psalm 103:6-18(Message): "God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear Him."
Romans 8:38-39(NKJV): "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What is the takeaway message?
Sometimes, we face things that just feel impossible. The burden feels too heavy. And, we just don't think we have the strength to go on. The beautiful thing is, that in the places where we don't know how to move forward, He knows the way. And, when we don't have the strength to stand, He has all the strength we need. Sometimes, God allows us to face seasons that we're not meant to go through alone.
Like Moses arriving at the Red Sea, sometimes we need a miracle and that's where God loves to display His glory and strength in our lives. In our weakness He is strong. And His grace is sufficient in every season. We never have to face anything alone in this life. With an almighty God at our right hand helping us, a heavy burden becomes light.
"My Arms" is an invitation to fall apart before God. In the secret depths of our hearts, we might think about how we can't face something. Sometimes, we don't voice our concerns to God. It's a shameful secret we shouldn't say. The good news is He already knows what we're thinking. Thoughts aren't surprises to Him. Instead, it's an invitation to share our heartbreaks with Him.
Cast your fears before Him. Be broken and contrite before Him. Tell Him that you're nothing without His grace. It's a powerful place for us to submit to our need for Him. This song is inviting people to know that there's nothing we can share with God that will make Him turn away from us. He's not afraid of our weaknesses. He is faithful when we're faithless. Ask Him to meet you there.
Lyrics
When did the scars over your heart
Become your hiding place
When did the stars become so dark
You couldn't find your way
The light inside your eyes
Is fading out
But I'm not gonna
Give up on ya now
Don't be afraid
I know you think
You're on your own
But you'll be okay
You don't have to
Go through it alone
Fall into my arms
Fall into my arms
So, let me see the hurt underneath
I'm not a stranger to pain
Cause I believe in what you can be
I'll never turn away
The light inside your eyes
Is fading out
But I'm not gonna
Give up on ya now
Don't be afraid
I know you think
You're on your own
But you'll be okay
You don't have to
Go through it alone
Fall into my arms
Fall into my arms
You're not the one
Who needs to be strong
Fall into my arms
I see you right where you are
I hear the whisper of your heart
And it's okay to fall apart
I will carry you in my arms
Don't be afraid
I know you think
You're on your own
But you'll be okay
You don't have to
Go through it alone
Fall into my arms
Fall into my arms
You're not the one
Who needs to be strong
Fall into my arms
And it's okay to fall apart
Just fall into my arms
Closing Thoughts
When I heard LEDGER's songs about Christian identity, being bold about faith, and finding truth and love in God instead of from the world, I wanted to shout those messages from the mountaintops along with her. This comes from my personal connection to the biblical messages in Christian music, which led me to a saving faith. This also comes from a dad of three girls. "My Arms" is a celebration of God's love despite our brokenness.
I love how the translation of Psalm 103 from The Message includes contemporary language about how, "God doesn't nag and scold, nor hold grudges, forever." My friend and pastor J.R. Briggs wrote a daily devotional based on this passage in the book Solo by Eugene Peterson. On day 89 of the book, there is a great suggestion based on the concept of "blessing God." The literal meaning of the Hebrew word "bless" is "to kneel." So, when we bless God, our souls kneel to Him in worship or gratitude.
As a father, I can relate to how I feel for my daughters when they do wrong. I don't want to condemn them, because I love them so much. And, my Father in heaven loves them--and me--even more than I do. The imagery of "God feels for those who fear Him" is very powerful. It's a strong reminder that we're called to bless God and kneel before Him to show our fear and adoration.
Try meditating on Psalm 103 and this very powerful song with your heart "kneeling" before God. Personally, I can't help but just sing these words to Jesus in thankfulness of His grace and mercy.
"My Arms" is one of my favorite songs of 2020. I can't get enough of the biblical truth found here. I love it when artists take God's Word from the Bible and turn it into a great and catchy song, filled with truth. This song is sung as God singing over us as expressed in Zephaniah 3:17. And, I sing it to Him with all my heart. He's worthy of all our praise and devotion. We were dead in our sins, and by grace, we were saved and made alive in Christ.
This song is a great celebratory anthem about what it means to have hope in Christ. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that God loves us so much: He knows us intimately, and He wants to fill our hearts with love. But, we don't have to pretend, hide, strive, or stand on our toes to meet some mark. He knows our brokenness inside and out. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, He sees us as righteous. That's reason to sing this empowering anthem at the top of our lungs in gratefulness to Him. If you're looking for a firm foundation in your life, allow God to sing these lyrics over you: "You're not the one who needs to be strong/Fall into my arms/And it's okay to fall apart/Just fall into my arms." Amen to that.
NRT Lead Contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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