Spend just five minutes with husband-and-wife duo Grace + Max, and it’s immediately clear they were meant to make music together. Newly married as of June 9, 2024, Grace Korak Allard—a Texas native—and Max Allard, who comes from the northeastern United States, first met in Nashville’s Christian music scene. There, they honed their songwriting skills while discovering a shared creative voice rooted in faith, honesty, and connection. Their sound combines warm folk-pop elements with Christ-centered themes, reflecting both their personal stories and spiritual foundation.
That heartfelt sentiment is especially clear in their latest song, “More Like You,” a catchy yet sincere track that captures the duo’s desire to live—and write—in a way that goes beyond themselves. “Our desire is to write music that’s inspiring and ultimately excites people toward Jesus,” the couple explains, a mission that continues to influence everything they release.
Although still early in their journey together, Grace + Max are already building an impressive catalog and a rapidly growing audience. Choosing life on the road over a traditional honeymoon, they’ve performed at several major summer festivals in Christian music, steadily gaining momentum and winning over fans. I recently had the chance to talk with the couple about “More Like You” and the path God is unfolding before them.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
Grace: It’s so important whenever Max and I write a song that it is based on what we are reading in Scripture. There are a few verses in the Bible that really inspired us, especially Matthew 12:34: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” We had been praying about living more like Jesus and what that looks like in our daily lives. Really, whenever the Lord is with us and He changes our lives, it starts from inside and works outward. It focuses on our hearts and overflows into our actions. The Lord tells us that what is in our hearts will overflow out of our mouths. That’s what inspired us to write this song.
Max: When we say, more like You, we mean that the way we live our daily lives should mirror Jesus—how He served others and put others first. When Jesus came to earth, He was meek and humble, and He humbled Himself before others. He washed the disciples’ feet. Something we recently read in The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller is that he could quote C.S. Lewis from memory and think about what C.S. Lewis would say in this situation. He goes on to say that’s how we should be with God. We should be in the Word daily, praying, fasting, and spending as much time as possible in intentional fellowship with God. The more we do that, the more we can become like Him.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
John 3:30(NKJV): He must increase, but I must decrease.
Matthew 16:26(NIV): What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Psalm 51:1-2, 10-11 (NIV): "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
Psalm 37:4-6(NKJV): "Delight yourself also in the Lord. And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him. And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday."
What is the takeaway message?
Max: The more we spend time with God, the more natural it becomes to have our lives reflect Him. Rather than asking for what we want from Him, pray for a relationship and for what we can do for Him. When we pray, it’s good to ask God for what we need. When we pray, we should ask Him to use us for His good.
Grace: For me, it’s really about showing up. Not about what people or God can do for you, but what you can do for others. In Philippians 2, Paul talks about how Jesus took the form of a servant. He humbled Himself and didn’t have to tell people how great He was. He showed His greatness by His actions and by living out His Word. He taught and showed us how to act and be with people.
Lyrics
If I had the whole world I'd still have nothing 'Cos I wouldn't have you So headfirst, I'm diving in Let the race begin With You I can't lose No, Lord, I can't lose You
I don't want man's empty praise Just want to follow in Your ways I am here to make Your name known So show me where, and I'll go 'Cos better is a second in Your presence Than a million minutes chasin' after my desires So purify my heart my mind and my soul Inside out make me more like You
You are my missing piece You're my Prince of Peacе You calm my seas There's no placе I'd rather be You make me complete You deserve all the glory You deserve all the glory
I don't want man's empty praise Just want to follow in Your ways I am here to make Your name known So show me where, and I'll go 'Cos better is a second in Your presence Than a million minutes chasin' after my desires So purify my heart my mind and my soul Inside out make me more like You
Ooh, make me more like You Ooh, make me more like You
You're the One I wanna know In You I am made whole There's no one else who loves me more You're the One I'm living for Lord, just open up the door And make me more like You
I don't want man's empty praise Just want to follow in Your ways I am here to make Your name known So show me where, and I'll go
I don't want man's empty praise Just want to follow in Your ways (in Your ways) I am here to make Your name known So show me where, and I'll go 'Cos better is a second in Your presence Than a million minutes chasin' after my desires So purify my heart my mind and my soul Inside out make me more like You
If I had the whole world (Ooh) I'd still have nothing 'Cos I wouldn't have you (Make me more like You) So head first, I'm diving in (Ooh) Let the race begin Make me more like You
Closing Thoughts
God wants to hear from you. The Lord desires us to spend time with Him every day. Dedicate time to God and allow Him to redeem and restore you. Reach a place where you are in humble submission to God. More than just intellectual agreement, God wants to be at the center of your heart's desires.
Don't play it safe; take a chance and ask God to be real in your life. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to God. We are not at the end of our story. God's still writing our stories of redemption. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in all of us who have put our hope and trust in Jesus for salvation.
“More Like You” beautifully captures the truth conveyed in John 3:30, reflecting the understanding that we are the bride of Christ, bowing in worship to the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are all called to embrace the faith expressed by John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
We are united in our struggles, spiritual warfare, and our desire for truth and relationship. This song serves as a powerful reminder to spend time reading His Word—the Holy Bible—and to build a relationship with Him through prayer. What God constantly reminds us is that love isn't always easy. It's a reminder that there will be days when you don't feel like loving. It's crucial to do so and to let others see your heart. Even when it's broken, God is always there to mend it.
You can find comfort in the wise words of Romans 8:31: "If our God is for us, who can stand against us?" Nothing can separate us from His love. The Son has risen, and sin and death are overcome. As His children, we can rest in the knowledge that we can fully trust in our God and not rely solely on our understanding. Have the courage to pray, “So purify my heart, my mind, and my soul, inside out, make me more like You.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes the message of Christian music has deepened his understanding of Christ.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1285 - Brandon Heath
The singer/songwriter shares the story behind his Christmas song
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!NRT LISTS
Christmas Music Preview
New holiday albums and singles you won't want to miss
NEW!NRT LISTS
Christmas Worship 2025
Five new Christmas worship songs you need this year
NEW!WAYBACK
Classic Christmas Vol. 3
A look at classic Christian Christmas originals to add to your playlists
NEW!WAYBACK
Classic Christmas Vol. 4
A look at classic Christian Christmas originals to add to your playlists
