Matt Crocker, a long-standing member and vocalist of Hillsong UNITED and Hillsong Worship, announces his first solo project and his official signing with Anotherland, a creative collective and label partner that will help introduce a new chapter of his artistry.
The partnership comes during a major decade-long career, in which Crocker has written and performed some of the most popular anthems in modern Christian music, including “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” “This I Believe (The Creed),” and “I Surrender,” collectively earning over five billion streams worldwide.
The calming musical vibe is just one of the many highlights of this ambient, introspective worship album. I am drawn to all of the songs' sincerity, beautiful musical layers, and the deep songwriting on Interlude.
The album chronicles Matt’s journey through heartache, depression, confusion, and redemption with his family and God. All these songs are genuinely anointed, Spirit-led, and emotionally powerful. I am deeply moved by Matt’s unique and heartfelt vocals, along with the sincere, prayerful, and vertical lyrics throughout the album. I discussed with Matt about “Love Me As I Am.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I’ve always had the privilege of writing songs with my best friends, and that was always enough for me. But a few years ago, I felt a gentle nudge to explore what was inside me—what God has uniquely placed in each of us. I wanted to feel like I did when I first started writing songs—like a teenager again. Not worrying about expectations, just making music because I love it. That’s why I wrote this song.
For me, melody is what initially draws me in, and I had that melody written musically before the lyrics came later. I thought about which words would fit the melody, and although 'love me as I am' as a song idea isn’t new, I connected it to the Potter’s wheel (Jeremiah 18:1-6 where God instructs the prophet Jeremiah to go to a potter's house to understand His relationship with His people) and to being clay in God’s hands—someone who constantly needs to be transformed by His love and by Him. Once we had that idea, everything clicked in writing the song.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 40:1 (NIV): "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry."
Isaiah 64:8 (VOICE): “Still, Eternal One, You are our Father. We are just clay, and You are the potter. We are the product of Your creative action, shaped and formed into something of worth.”
Isaiah 40:31 (VOICE): “But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run--never winded, never weary. They will walk--never tired, never faint.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV): “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV): "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; By His wounds you have been healed."
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV): “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV): "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Psalm 23:1 (VOICE): “The Eternal is my Shepherd, He cares for me always.”
Psalm 55:22 (NIV): “Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV): “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
What is the takeaway message?
An interlude is simply picking up an instrument and letting out something that is completely prayer, downright worship, and fully me—out in the field, crying out to Jesus to find me in every high and low of life. If you’re living in the in-between moments of what was and what is to come in your life, and you’re unsure which way is up, maybe these songs, this interlude, could bring you some joy, peace, healing, truth, conviction, and courage—that maybe you’re right where God wants you to be.
In Scripture, there are many images of us being made from dust and clay, trusting Him with our lives and allowing Him to shape us into who He intends us to be. The song broadly conveys the idea that the pottery is marred and that He continues working on it, reflecting us: we are imperfect, and He loves us just as we are.
Lyrics
Art in the making I’m clay in Your hands Mercy in motion Spinning like grace At the speed of Your heart
Resisting my Maker Unfit for the wheel You bend my rebellion Reshaping my heart Formed as You will
I’m nothing but dust of the ground I don’t deserve the redemption I’ve found
You love me as I am I can see it in Your scars In Your eyes, Lord, I’m enough Cos I’m held within Your arms
Now I see the beauty The work of Your hand The genius and splendour Reclaiming what’s dead And breathing new life
I’m nothing but dust of the ground I don’t deserve the redemption I’ve found Still, I’m held in Your arms
You love me as I am I can see it in Your scars In Your eyes, Lord, I’m enough Like a living work of art
You love me as I am I can see it in Your scars I know that I’m enough Cos I bear the Maker’s mark
Closing Thoughts
“Love Me As I Am” resonates with me as a believer, a husband, and a father, and it reflects Matt’s sentiments. The song has become one of my daily devotional prayers of gratitude to Him for showing me grace and forgiveness despite my failures. You can hear the songwriter’s dependence on God for His breath and the Holy Spirit to sustain him. I admire his intentionality and complete focus on God's provision in his life.
We serve a loving and merciful God who accepts us as we are, not as we pretend to be.
Even after you’re saved, you might still criticize yourself for failing. You may feel unworthy of God's love. That's the point: you're not deserving. You can't earn grace. It is a gift of unmerited favor from God to His children.
Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Despite your sins, God still considers you His child: a son or daughter. Only Jesus can give you your identity. What a powerful display of what it means to accept that God never leaves or forsakes us. He's all we need.
Rejoice and worship loudly for God's love in your life.
His grace removes anxiety, guilt, and shame. Remember that being His is enough. This song celebrates the freedom promised in God's Holy Word. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." You are a new creation on the inside. The Holy Spirit has given you new life. You are born again.
This song delivers a powerful message: there is always hope. Breathe it in like oxygen, and God will transform whatever you're going through into something different for His glory. I pray you feel the same joy and hope in Christ that this song expresses. Keep these truths in mind: “You love me as I am/I can see it in Your scars/ In Your eyes Lord I’m enough/ like a living work of art.”
Gratefully accept God’s love—something you freely receive by accepting Him as your Savior. This song provides words to express gratitude. It’s a reminder to sing to God: “You love me as I am/I can see it in Your scars/I know that I’m enough/'Cos I bear the maker's mark.” 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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