Bethany Dillon's Sparrow Records debut stood out because at only 14, she was a serious writer and artist creating her own material mature beyond her years, with an authenticity of expression and an ability to own the emotion in her music. Similar to Amy Grant and Rebecca St. James, Bethany has grown up as an accomplished artist in Christian music.

Bethany is now 21 and married to Shane Barnard of the group Shane & Shane. Each of Bethany's first three studio albums impressed me, particularly her singing voice. Waking Up really took it up a notch in my opinion with standout songs “The Kingdom,” “Let Your Light Shine,” “Top Of The World” and “When You Love Someone.”

Stop & Listen is her latest studio album and is one of my top 10 albums of 2009.

I had the great opportunity to speak with Bethany about her new song “Everyone To Know.” You can listen to our entire interview here.

Please tell me the background about writing the song “Everyone To Know.”

This was written with my good friend and producer of my last three records, Ed Cash, who incidentally, had the melody and chorus of this song stashed away on his Blackberry. Although the song has a deceivingly light-hearted sound, behind it is a very confronting commandment. I often forget the great commandment to share who Jesus is and what He’s done in my life with others. I think it’s a pretty common sentiment among American believers not to want to be too pushy with their faith. I would agree that there is discernment in sharing Jesus with people, but speaking from personal experience, that quickly becomes an excuse for me to be silent. Always. In every situation.

What does the message of “Everyone To Know” mean to you personally?

I’m not sure it really even hit me what a coward I was about sharing the Gospel boldly until I left the bubbles of Nashville and Dallas to record in Los Angeles for a month. When you’re flying solo, finding yourself in uncomfortable situations, and the “are you a Christian?” question is received with blank stares, you begin to realize how RADICAL Jesus is. How His name really does change the mood in a room. And, in the sweetest of ways, you’re reminded how powerful His presence is in your life!

Did you base the song on any bible verses?

Matthew 5:11-16

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

What is the takeaway message for listeners about the song?

TRULY, He is so worthy of talking about. Probably the biggest battle I’ll ever fight in my life is pride--especially the pride of people pleasing. I learned quickly during my month of recording that seeing people with the eyes of Jesus means loving them more than wanting to be liked by them. So, on that sunny afternoon in Ed’s studio, we wrote this song, without me even knowing what a personal challenge it’d be for me in coming months. But He knew.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

Here we go
Let in the light from my window
Say goodbye to my sorrow
And hello, new day
My soul needed a rescue
A Hero, it had to be You
I know You've changed everything

(chorus)
So I want everyone to know
Everyone to know
I want to tell the world about Your love
(repeat)

I've thrown years away
And every chance to change
It took so much to see my pride
I've thrown punches in the air
Chased after love that wasn't there
I know only You satisfy

To all the broken hearted
The crippled and the weak
We are all invited
To taste and see
To all of those who are searching,
Come find what you seek
It is the Truth that we all
Truth that we all need

"Everyone To Know" by Bethany Dillon is one of my favorite songs of the year and is another great song based on Matthew 5:11-16, along with "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels, “Meaning of Life” by Hawk Nelson, and "The Lost Get Found" by Britt Nicole. When Bethany gets to the bridge of this song and sweetly sings “To all of those who are searching, Come find what you seek, It is the Truth that we all, Truth that we all need” I actually feel my skin tingle as I also want to live in that Truth. Like Bethany, I also want “everyone to know,” and I want to tell the world about the love of Jesus.

Here's Bethany singing the song acoustic style.