Pop artist Colton Dixon's seventh-place finish on Season 11 of American Idol was one of the most surprising and memorable Idol cuts of all time, but it was only the beginning for the artist. Colton released his debut full-length album, A Messenger, featuring the hit songs "You Are" and "Never Gone." The album title comes from the Bible passage John 13:16: "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."
Colton returned with a new set of songs on his sophomore album Anchor, including the singles "Through All Of It" and "More of You." After a string of hit singles, which includes “All That Matters” and “The Other Side,” Colton returned with Colton Dixon EP, which includes the hit song, “Miracles.” I had the chance to speak with Colton about his new hit single, “Made to Fly.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
One thing I’ve loved about this whole songwriting process in writing songs with Atlantic Records is that the other songwriters don’t always have a faith-based perspective. Maybe they’re not on the Jesus train yet. It’s refreshing to sit and talk with people outside the church because they have different perspectives and life stories. We have real conversations about life.
I wrote "Made To Fly" while in quarantine, after reading the passage Isaish 40:31 (NIV): "But those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I realized that in my daily life, I was so focused on just trying to walk that I forgot I was made to fly.
The Isaiah 40 passage reminded me that we were made for so much more than this world. Rather than get caught up in differences of opinions or the troubles of this world, this song was inspired by the idea that we are called to a higher purpose.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Isaiah 40:27-31(MSG): “Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch His breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.
Matthew 16:19(NIV): “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Philippians 4:13(NKJV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Romans 8:28 (VOICE): We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.
Hebrews 11:1(NLT): "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
What is the takeaway message?
As a believer, I’ve seen how many Christians live in a way that they're focused on putting one foot in front of the other. We were made for so much more than that. This song is about living to your full potential. God has instilled that opportunity in us as believers to fly and to soar on wings like eagles. Don't get so caught up in the little things that you forget it, because when you realize that, you start living differently.
When I think about flying, it’s twofold for me. One, you can’t fly while you are weighed down. You need to let go of whatever is holding you back. Two, when you fly you get a new perspective. If you think about when you take off in an airplane, you see the earth how you know it, and as you get higher in the air, the details pass away and you see the bigger picture. God calls us to that place with Him, over, and over again.
He’s told us the end of the story and we’re victorious. I see so many people caught up in the details, myself included, but we need to get away with Him, rise above the clouds, and see the bigger picture. It’s our spiritual responsibility to declare God’s will in our lives. It’s something that applies to that verse, “you were made to soar on wings like eagles.” It’s my job to put that into practice. I want to reach that place. With my words, perspective, and attitude, I want to be a light to other people and reach that place where I see God’s will in my life, which is always good.
Lyrics
My daddy always told me Hold your head up high It's just one moment In all of time If you can’t see it Just close your eyes And believe it It's all inside
So keep on keeping on Til the walls come down Reaching higher til your feet Don’t touch the ground Get the power of praise Flowing out your mouth Lemme hear ya
If you need freedom Look to the sky Hope is waiting On the other side Sing hallelujah, by and by Don't stop at walking When you were made to fly
Mama always showed me There's more to life Than copper pennies And silver dimes So rest your head child It’ll be alright Just keep knocking And ye shall find
So keep on keeping on Til the walls come down Reaching higher til your feet Don’t touch the ground Get the power of praise Flowing out your mouth Lemme hear ya
If you need freedom Look to the sky Hope is waiting On the other side Sing hallelujah, by and by Don't stop at walking When you were made to fly
So keep on keeping on Til the walls come down Reaching higher til your feet Don’t touch the ground Get the power of praise Flowing out your mouth Lemme hear ya
So keep on keeping on Til the walls come down Reaching higher til your feet Don’t touch the ground Get the power of praise Flowing out your mouth Lemme hear ya
If you need freedom
Look to the sky Cause hope is waiting On the other side Sing hallelujah, by and by Don't stop at walking When you were made to fly
Sing hallelujah, by and by Don't stop at walking When you were made to fly Don't stop at walking When you were made to fly
Closing Thoughts
"Made to Fly" reminds me that we need to have the type of faith that Jesus describes in the Bible: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Being a Christian means that you walk by faith, not by sight. Remember the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1: "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." If you think about the type of faith we are called to have as believers, it is described as the faith of a mustard seed.
Faith requires people to rely on the unseen. We walk by faith every day. The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can learn to fully trust God with our lives. The key as a Christ-follower is to walk by faith and to be guided in your daily walk by prayer and God's infallible Word, the Bible.
Many times, I think I can control my life's outcomes. Like others, I want everything to go my own way. Do you want to be in control? Or do you want God to reveal His plans for you by waiting on Him? Are you relying on yourself to resolve your own circumstances, or are you waiting for God to reveal Himself?
Colton's mission is all about writing and singing songs that reflect what it means to have freedom in Christ. This great new worship song really sets me in the proper mindset to praise God for loving me so much that He gave His life away for all that was lost.
The song is upbeat and encourages me how much God loves me and that He is still with me--especially as we face this coronavirus pandemic together. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life? Are you spending time listening to Him? He'll make you free. He wants to hear from you. With everything going on in our world, we need the encouragement that God is with us and we're not alone.
“Made to Fly” connects to Isaiah 40 and the exhortation: “But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.” That's what Colton's music ministry is all about: loving God with all his heart, expressed in one catchy song after another.
God loves you so much. Lean on Him and He'll give you strength. We are called as Christians to believe in the freedom that we have on the cross of Jesus. We are free from our addictions, our insecurities, and perfectionism.
Jesus came to die for us so that we can all truly live in Him. Submit your worries, anxieties, and stress to God. Let Him be your guide. God wants to walk beside you. He wants you to be bold and unafraid.
This song is all for God's glory. When we are in communion with God, it is joyful and not a burden. We are all united in our struggles and spiritual warfare, and in our desire for truth and relationship.
Believe and sing along, “If you need freedom/Look to the sky/Cause hope is waiting/On the other side/Sing hallelujah, by and by/Don't stop at walking/When you were made to fly.” 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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