When I listen to Kerrie Roberts’ debut album, I feel like I’m getting caught up listening to Kerrie’s personal prayer time, and I start praying along with her. My favorite albums all have that impact on me, and with a strong vocal style similar to Natalie Grant’s, Kerrie Roberts has made quite the impression.

At first glance, Roberts is the unassuming girl with a huge voice. But once her voice captures you, it is clear there’s much more going on here. Dynamic yet intimate, uniquely emotive and soulful, her self-titled debut reveals the heart of an empathetic artist. These are the songs of a distinctly relational and prolific songwriter.

“My father is a pastor, so my whole family has been shaped by the church,” says Kerrie. “From a young age, my parents always taught me to reach out to the broken and to those who need hope.”

The 10 songs on her self-titled debut album reflect the redemptive seeds planted during those years and into her young adulthood. Thematically, the album explores a thoughtful side of faith, hope and love—the acknowledgment that an authentic life of faith isn’t devoid of suffering, the purpose amidst pain, the promise that a breakthrough is coming, and the motivating power of God’s love. I had the opportunity to speak with Kerrie about her song “Maybe I’m Afraid.”

Please tell me about the background in writing the song “Maybe I’m Afraid.”

Because of the way I’m wired, I feel these emotions whenever I have to give in to something. This song came in as a broad picture of the things in life that come my way: love, relationships, my faith. Unexpected things scare me, because I like to control things in my life. Whenever you submit to anything, especially God, you realize that you’re not in control of anything you want to do.

At the end of the song we flip it around and acknowledge not only can I not escape God’s plans, but there’s nowhere I can go without God’s presence. That’s the truth of our walks as Christians--that God is everywhere and He is always with us.

Do you have any Bible verses you used in writing the song? Any life verse?

My life verse is Philippians 4:6-8: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Matthew 10:16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

What do consider to be the take-away message for listeners?

The Christian walk goes beyond the plans and desires that we have for our lives. It’s not about our accomplishments, what we want to do, and where we want to live. That’s what the rest of the album speaks about as well. Growing up in the church with my dad as a pastor I’ve seen people with strong faith experience really horrible things. Growing up watching that, I’m reminded that being a Christian doesn’t protect you from tragedy. We’re still on this earth, and horrible things happen.

A lot of people have a certain perception of God, like He’s a superhero and going to show up and save the day in a way we think He should. There’s different ways to react when things don’t turn out the way we thought they would. That’s either turn your back on God or cling to His eternal promise of salvation. We have a God with an eternal perspective. “Maybe I’m Afraid” is about the choice to trust God or not. My choice is to trust God and that’s how I want to live my life.

Lyrics:

There's no way I can hide
It's written on my face
And all these complications now...

Maybe I'm afraid
To open up and let You in
Behind the curtain

Maybe I'm afraid
Of the questions
That I know You'd raise
What I thought was certain

Maybe I'm afraid
Of the mess that it's sure to make
Of all I've tried to simplify and organize But I just can't deny

That there's no way I can hide
It's written on my face
And all the complications
Fumbling with my equations now
They crumble to the ground
With everything I've fought to be
Without Your help

'Cause if I let You in
I'll never be the same
So I try to escape
Maybe I'm afraid

Maybe I'm afraid
To let it go and just accept
The love You've spoken

Maybe I'm afraid
Of the way that I know You'll fix
Everything that's broken

Or maybe I'm afraid
'Cause I don't know who You are
That the more I keep from You
The more I lose
So what am I holding on to?

There's no way I can hide
It's written on my face
And all the complications
Fumbling with my equations now
They crumble to the ground
With everything I've fought to be
Without Your help

'Cause if I let You in
I'll never be the same
So I try to escape

Maybe I'm afraid
Afraid I'll be complete
It's just so weak in Your hands

Maybe I'm afraid
Afraid that it won't last
And I'll only be half
Without You

Maybe I'm afraid
To let You change my heart
With all it's hiding

Maybe I'm afraid
That I just might fall apart
Unless You're beside me

And I know there's no way I can hide
It's written on my face
And all the complications
Fumbling with my equations now
They crumble to the ground
With everything I've fought to be
Without Your help

'Cause if I let You in
I'll never be the same
No, I can't escape
But maybe I'm afraid

Maybe I'm afraid
Maybe I'm afraid
Maybe I'm afraid
Maybe, maybe, maybe I'm afraid

Matthew Henry’s commentary: “Be mild, and meek, and dispassionate; not only do nobody any hurt, but bear nobody any ill will; be without gall, as doves are; this must always go along with the former.” They are sent forth among wolves, therefore must be as wise as serpents, but they are sent forth as sheep, therefore must be harmless as doves. We must be wise, not to wrong ourselves, but rather so than wrong any one else; must use the harmlessness of the dove to bear twenty injuries, rather than the subtlety of the serpent to offer or to return one. Note, It must be the continual care of all Christ’s disciples, to be innocent and inoffensive in word and deed, especially in consideration of the enemies they are in the midst of. We have need of a dove-like spirit, when we are beset with birds of prey, that we may neither provoke them nor be provoked by them: David coveted the wings of a dove, on which to fly away and be at rest, rather than the wings of a hawk. The Spirit descended on Christ as a dove, and all believers partake of the Spirit of Christ, a dove-like spirit, made for love, not for war.”

Kerrie’s album has been one of my favorites of the past year, and this song sums up one of the key messages, which is that God is always with us. This could almost be the title track for the album, as this song “Maybe I’m Afraid” gives insight into Kerrie’s walk as a fellow believer. It’s also very relatable to listeners, especially for those who struggle with control issues and perfectionism.

We are called as Christians to believe in the freedom that we have in the cross of Jesus. We are free from our fears, addictions, insecurities and perfectionism. Jesus came to die for us so that we can all truly live in Him. Amen.