For worship leader and speaker Tasha Layton, the journey to discovering her artistry has been a long and exhilarating one. The path that has brought her to where she is today has been challenging, exciting, painful, and incredible all at once. From her small-town beginnings to touring with Katy Perry and working as a sought-after session singer in L.A., then moving to Nashville to record her debut Christian album, Love Running Wild,in 2019, Tasha’s story is as vibrant and strong as she is. Her follow-up release, Into the Sea, was preceded by the moving title track, “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be Ok).”
Tasha returned with her full-length album, How Far, which features her hit songs, “Look What You’ve Done” and “How Far.” The album is best described as an intimate personal worship experience with an inspirational and uplifting tone. It tells the story of redemption and trusting in God’s higher plans, with each song offering a glimpse of how Tasha shares her Psalm-like prayers to God.
Tasha followed up with her hit songs, “Never,” “I Lay it Down,” and “Worship Through It,” from her latest release, *Life in Me*. Her engaging music and thought-provoking lyrics are truly something to savor. I had the chance to speak with Tasha about her single, “Singing in the Dark.”
Could you please share the personal story behind this song?
"Singing in the Dark" is about finding faith and praise even during life's most brutal "storms," inspired by my personal struggles and truths from the Bible. The song also reflects my personal journey through tough times and my own experiences with depression and feeling lost. I co-wrote this song to uplift listeners facing hardships, reminding them that even in darkness, they can still praise God and find hope, emphasizing that God's light can shine through even the deepest struggles.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Lamentations 3:22-24 (MSG): “God's loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.”
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV): "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Philippians 1:6 (NIV): "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
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."
Philippians 4:6 (VOICE): “Don't be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come.”
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV): "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
1 John 4:18 (NKJV): "There is no fear in love; but, perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But, he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 16:33 (NIV): "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
What is the takeaway message?
"Singing in the Dark" is a declarative song intended to provide personal comfort and encouragement to others navigating their own storms. I hope that the song offers a way to find hope through praising God, even when things are complex, and the message is that "fear goes running when the praises start." The song is rooted in biblical themes, like the idea that "even the darkness is not dark to God" from the Psalms. I hope this song offers a message of hope and perseverance, encouraging listeners to find strength in God, who is a "refuge and a strength" even when the world feels upside down. I’ve faced hardships where I’ve questioned God's timing or wondered if I was "good enough."
Lyrics
I've felt the cold wind rip right through my weary soul And I've known the terror of the longest night I've heard the thunder threatening my very hope And I've lost the courage to fight some fights
(Ooh) You are the song of my salvation (Ooh) You're my anthem in the storm
So I will turn my face to heaven Even through the driving rain I'll keep finding hallelujahs Use my praise to fight the pain I'll keep reaching for Your hand When I can't see where You are While I'm waiting for the light to break I'll keep singing in the dark
You are the one who put this melody in me And I know You did it for nights like these
(Ooh) Oh, I can feel You by my side (Ooh) And my worship comes alive
So I will turn my face to heaven Even through the driving rain I'll keep finding hallelujahs Use my praise to fight the pain I'll keep reaching for Your hand When I can't see where You are While I'm waiting for the light to break I'll keep singing in the dark I'll keep singing in the dark
Fear goes running when the praises start So I'll keep singing even in the dark, oh Fear goes running when the praises start So I'll keep singing, I'll keep singing, I'll keep singing
And turn my face to heaven Even through the driving rain I'll keep finding hallelujahs Use my praise to fight the pain I'll keep reaching for Your hand When I can't see where You are While I'm waiting for the light to break I'll keep singing in the dark Oh, I'll keep singing in the dark Oh, keep singing in the dark
Closing Thoughts
“Singing in the Dark” is a daily prayer that asks God to come and transform our hearts and lives, so that our actions and way of living come from God living within us. This life song challenges us to step out in faith and trust God—even when we want to give up or can't see where we're going. Remember, we aren't the source of power to overcome life’s challenges. There is a higher power in God that provides true strength and energy. In our weakness, His strength is perfect.
This song symbolizes our victory over struggles—even before we see the earthly outcome. So, trust that God is going before us and will win. When we think about the kind of faith we’re called to have as believers, it’s described as the faith of a mustard seed.
For me, the most uplifting part of this song is the message that I don't have to be perfect, but that God knows me and loves me just as I am. That is cause for celebration, as we all have the freedom to be ourselves and trust that He has great plans for us as His children.
I hear in Tasha’s vocals a sincere yearning for God and a heart full of thankfulness for God's mercy and grace. One of the most impactful ways followers of Jesus can demonstrate the upside-down Kingdom of God to non-believers is by embodying the message of this song and showing the supernatural inner joy. This joy shows observers that Christians walking through valleys have hope and happiness through God's love and are living according to His plans without turning away from Him.
Worship means giving God our best and surrendering all to Him. All we can do is submit and offer everything we have. So, instead of running toward what hurts us, let’s sing in the dark.
Jesus died on the cross to free us from the battle in our minds, from sin and death. Our thoughts are constantly under attack by the enemy, making it hard to trust which voice in our head is right. However, we find our way through the confusion by anchoring ourselves in God’s truth, staying rooted in Scripture, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts back to peace.
God does not promise to shield us from pain, but we are called to trust Him. We should trust and wait on Him, letting Him guide the plans for our lives. We bring nothing to God, and instead of expecting something in return, we should recognize that nothing surpasses the greatness of knowing Jesus.
Faith is when we are empty of ourselves and filled with Him and His Holy Spirit. Being a Christian means walking by faith, not by sight. Faith requires us to rely on what is unseen. We all walk by faith every day. The beauty of walking by faith instead of by sight is that we can learn to trust God more completely with our lives.
Tasha aims to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we create barriers between ourselves and God, and He yearns for us to come back to Him.
Many of us feel that we're not worthy of being near God and that He's using a checklist to determine our worthiness. That's not the Gospel. Sing along: “And turn my face to Heaven/Even through the driving rain/I'll keep finding hallelujahs/Use my praise to fight the pain/I'll keep reaching for Your hand/When I can't see where You are/While I'm waiting for the light to break/I'll keep singing in the dark.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes that the message of Christian music has helped him gain a deeper understanding of Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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