In her great new song, “God Is Still God,” Heather Williams belts out: "We've all been lost and we've all been hurt, where our hope is thin and our faith don't work, but nothing lasts forever, the only thing that matters is God is still God and He holds it together, so hang on now."

I sing that line along with Heather's gorgeous and powerful voice at the top of my lungs and I find it so uplifting that in this troubling time where the earth is groaning and the economy is failing, the only thing that matters is God is still God. Amen to that!

Heather Williams is bursting on the music scene with her debut album This Time Around. Her songs and her character speak of the strength of a woman well beyond her years. Williams grew up in extreme poverty with her mom and stepfather. Throughout her early childhood, she suffered intense abuse. Her mother gave her away at age 11, and Williams went to live with her grandfather in Michigan and later with her aunt and uncle who eventually adopted her and are now her legal parents.

Living with little guidance and the pain of past abuse and rejection, Williams turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the realities of life. As things began to spiral out of control, the young teenager began to have thoughts of suicide and was even homeless at one point. At age 18, however, the dangerous road Williams was on took a U-turn when she gave her life to Christ. Early acclaim has followed Williams since the release of her debut EP last fall. In addition to the radio success of "Hallelujah," Williams was named amongst the "Best Bets of 2011" by Billboard Magazine, one of only two Christian artists to receive this title.

I had the opportunity to interview Heather about her catchy single “God Is Still God.”

Please tell me the story behind the song “God Is Still God.”

It’s a song that speaks so clearly into an insecurity that we can get when life just comes at us at full speed. It’s very easy to try to take control of it ourselves. To let God take control of things is freeing, but it can also be scary at times. I also love that this song is a conversation with somebody. Sometimes we feel like we have to have the right things to say, but if we just offer them the comfort that God is still in control, that in and of itself can be a powerful statement. I like the simplicity of the message. I’m glad Jesus spoke in parables, because I would have needed Him to speak truth to me in that way to get it. Being on stage, people ask me how to grow closer to God. In myself, I don’t have the answer, but God and who He is--that’s the answer. This song speaks that truth so clearly that in any situation in life we can look to God as our Rock and as the answer. Scripture tells us that God is never going to leave us or forsake us. That’s been a promise that I have personally clung to like a life raft in many situations in my life. Just being able to point people to God is the biggest message of the song.

Did you base the song on any Bible verses, or do you have a life verse?

My life verse is Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

What’s the takeaway message of the song and album?

As a Christian artist, I spend everyday in Scripture, and I love the Psalms. I consider David a role model of someone I want to be like in my relationship with God. He was so messed up, but he got that the God of the universe can know our most intimate thought without even speaking. The key is that intimacy starts by having conversations.

This album is you getting to peek in on me sometimes having it out with God, sometimes crying to God, sometimes laughing. But it's always going to be a transparent look at what's going on in my heart, because that's who I want to be before Him. If I want Him to use me, then I have to be willing to share everything. I just want my life to be living proof that God can take anything, anyone and any situation and work it for good. He can take it and give you purpose and meaning in your life. He did it in my life, and I know He can do it for you.

Lyrics:
Wish I knew what I'm supposed to say to you
What you're going through
But I don't know what you're feeling
Does anyone know what you're feeling right now

You're afraid
The future's like an enemy,
and you just wish you could see
'Cause you don't know where you're going
Don't let it keep you from hoping right now

Yeah we've all been lost and we've all been hurt
Where our hope is spent and our faith don't work
But nothing lasts forever
The only thing that matters
Is God is still God and He holds it together

So hang on now

He's been there, walking in the wilderness
When it's hard to see the end
But He had the strength to do it, so He can help you through it
So hang on now

So even when you lie awake
And bend until you almost break
The darkest time is right before the dawn

Here is Matthew Henry’s commentary on Romans 8: “Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The un-renewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law.”

Not everyone can relate to the situations and trials that Heather has endured, and I hear in Heather’s voice a joyfulness in celebrating God that reflects the depth of her gratitude. God has not forgotten you. He is closer than you could ever imagine. He is still the same today as yesterday, and His ultimate goal is “that you might have life, and life abundantly.”

God doesn’t make bad things happen to us. He came to give us life and to live with Him eternally by trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation. Know “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” If you’ve put all of your hope and trust in Jesus to save you from yourself, know it as a matter of fact.

I’m truly inspired when I listen to this song, and when I worship along with her, I grow closer to God as well. In addition to this being one of the most upbeat and catchy songs and albums of the year, I also feel like every song tells me more about Heather. I love albums that reveals the sincerity of the artist, and for sure, Heather is transparent, vulnerable and clearly is in love with our Lord and Savior, Jesus. This album is a five star work of art that brings me closer to God.