Lindsay McCaul has always been keenly aware of words and their value. From her teen years pouring over the lyrics of her favorite Christian music to her college days majoring in linguistics at Moody Bible Institute to the vibrant, insightful songs she’s penned for her Reunion Records debut,
If It Leads Me Back, McCaul knows the power of words. Rarely has an artist wielded that power with more thoughtful precision. Blessed with a caring heart and a deep intellect, McCaul has a gift for writing songs that strengthen and encourage by reminding us of God’s grace and faithfulness.
“I don’t technically use my translation degree skills,” says McCaul, who earned her degree in applied linguistics intending to translate the Bible, “but music is another way of translating the Bible into our lives. The stories and the truths in the Word can be applied in a different way into people’s hearts.”
McCaul is a great new artist with 11 vibrant and insightful songs that she penned for her Reunion Records debut,
If It Leads Me Back, produced by Jason Ingram. The album opens with the standout song “Say My Name,” which showcases not only Lindsay’s gifts as a songwriter, but her shimmering, emotion-laden voice.
I am challenged and comforted every time I listen to the song, which is based on the story of Lot’s wife in Genesis when she turned into a pillar of salt. McCaul has pure and strong vocals that remind me of Brooke Fraser and Audrey Assad (who are my favorite female vocalists of all time). I consider Lindsay someone to watch out for in 2012 and based on this album, she gets my nomination as the best new artist and female vocalist I've heard in the past year. I haven’t heard an album that has struck me like this album since
Albertine by Brooke Fraser and
The House You’re Building by Audrey Assad.
I had the great opportunity to interview Lindsay about her catchy new single “Say My Name.”
Please tell me the message behind the song “Say My Name.” Do you have any personal application regarding your walk as a Christian in writing the song?
I was at a location in Israel and our tour guide pointed to the place where Lot and his wife would have been walking away from Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s where, in Genesis 19, she turned back and looked for one last glimpse of something that she held dear and precious, and she turned to a pillar of salt. I kept thinking about the things that I hold onto that keep me from walking forward into what the Lord has for me, whether it’s regrets or things I wish I could have changed in my life, whether it’s decisions I’ve made, or whether it’s actually sin that’s holding me back. Through all of that, God is calling us to freedom. Jeremiah 29:11 says that He has plans for us and He promises that He can make beautiful things out of ashes—He uses us even though we’re fallen people. But we have to walk away from things of the past and move forward into what He is calling us to.
Did you base the song on any Bible verses? Any life verse?
Genesis 19:26: “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
...and Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
How can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?
When I first thought about what Lot’s wife did leaving Sodom and Gomorrah, I found myself judging her and thinking about what a failure she was. Then I realized that I make that same mistake sometimes--dwelling on my past and my unfulfilled dreams. I am filled with shame and spend too much time thinking about my mistakes that God has already covered for me. If it’s shame, He’s forgiven me and we can move on with our future because we don’t have to forgive ourselves. God’s forgiven us if we’ve put our trust in Him. If it’s dreams that haven’t been fulfilled, God is calling me to fulfill the desire of my heart. He gives us desires so that we can fulfill them for His glory. Rarely are they ever how we think they should turn out. When they do turn out, they are beyond what we could have imagined, hoped for or dreamed of in the first place. God calls us by name into His plans for us. God has a wide open canvas waiting to paint a picture of our lives for us.
Lyrics:
Tried to turn my head around
For too long just to see it now
And I can’t erase any mistake
And looking back for one more glance
Never made a second chance
I cradle the pain
Regret that remains
I play it over and over differently
But it’s over ‘cause You said I am free
You say my name and tell me I can walk away
From all my fears and yesterday
I can hear You calling
You say my name and tell me there’s a better place
Lead me to Your sweet embrace
I can hear You calling
Drinking from a bitter well
Wishing for a fairy tale
I thought we agreed
How it should be
So now I am an afterglow
Too afraid to let it go
I need to believe
There’s more than I see
I play it over and over differently
But it’s over ‘cause You said I am free
You say my name and tell me I can walk away
From all my fears and yesterday
I can hear You calling
You say my name and tell me there’s a better place
Lead me to Your sweet embrace
I can hear You calling
Asbury’s Bible commentary on Jeremiah 29:11: “God has set a time for the punishment of the exiles; when that set time is completed, He will return to them with His gracious promise. Judgment is not the last word God proclaims to the sinners. With His grace he reaches out to them to give them a hope and a future. This promise is, however, conditional. In order to enjoy the benefits of God's grace, sinners must call upon Him, and seek Him with all their heart.”
Lindsay has captivating and catchy songs filled with inspirational lyrics. For me, Lindsay brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen. My favorite albums are the ones that continue to provide new revelations over time by savoring them this album has already done that for me. If you are looking for what’s sure to be one of the top female solo albums of the year, then look no further than
If It Leads Me Back. I’m sure it will continue to challenge, inspire and move me. This is truly a great album and an uplifting worship experience.
As this great song celebrates: “You say my name and tell me I can walk away, From all my fears and yesterday…You say my name and tell me there’s a better place, Lead me to Your sweet embrace, I can hear You calling.” Pray these same words to God and He’ll hear you calling.
Don’t look back on your old self with regret, look forward. Matthew Henry says: “Becoming a pillar of salt was the punishment of Lot’s wife for her sin of looking back. Unbelief was at the bottom of it; she questioned whether Sodom would be destroyed, and thought she might still have been safe in it. Since it is such a dangerous thing to look back, let us always press forward.” Amen to that!
