Spend any time at all with Dove Award-winning New Artist Jamie Grace, and it's obvious that she's special. Her infectious smile, bright eyes and her expressive way with words are all tale-tell signs: this is one unique girl.

Jamie's debut, One Song At A Time, was one of my most anticipated full-length albums of last year. On the heels of Jamie's massive number one hit song "Hold Me"--featuring TobyMac--I didn't know how she could possibly follow-up on that type of introduction as an artist.

It was well worth the wait, and this is not only one of the best debut albums I've heard, it's also one of the top albums of the year. To call Jamie the next big thing in Christian music may be an understatement. Just like her mentor TobyMac, her album is accessible well beyond just the Christian music market.

"She writes, sings and plays her own music. And she has this style that can't be put into a typical label box," says TobyMac, who signed Jamie Grace after tracking her clever YouTube videos for more than three years. "When some people sing and play, it's almost effortless, and their joy is all over them. That's what grabbed my attention with Jamie Grace. I've not been this excited to work with an artist in a long time."

But the effervescent spirit in this young woman is even more powerful and compelling than what can be seen. Her contagious joy and message of hope can only be understood in the context of her story, and her struggle.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie Grace learned two powerful lessons: one, that ministry is a way of life; two, that life is good, even when it's hard. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 11, her young life became a series of heartbreak and challenge, a long season of physical exhaustion, emotional stress and spiritual doubt. Then one day, inspired by the powerful testimony of Tammy Trent on the Revolve Tour, Jamie Grace came to a life-changing conclusion: "I heard Tammy speak and I thought, ‘I've cried enough. It's time to accept my joy.' It was just the long process of finally realizing that, even with Tourette's, I still have something to do with my life. I love to sing. I have a story, and I've got to share it."

I had the great chance to speak with Jamie about "You Lead," her follow-up single to her massive hit song "Hold Me."

Please tell me about the background message behind the song "You Lead."

This song is really fun to sing. My producer Chris Stevens did a crazy great job with the strings and production on the song. It's really fun to listen to, and also has a deep message. I know that a lot of times young artists can start off following Jesus, and somewhere along the way, things don't really add up and they don't really keep the same excitement they once had.

It's always my prayer that no matter where I am or what I'm doing, that I'll always follow Jesus. I don't ever want to fall off the path of praying and doing my personal devotions. It is my prayer that God will lead, and I will follow. What better gift than to have the Creator of the entire world tell you how to live your life. That's incredible. He created the entire universe and He wants to show you the ropes of life. How could you not want to follow Him? This song is really important to me.

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

Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

...and my life passage is Psalm 35: "But those who want the best for me, Let them have the last word—a glad shout!—and say, over and over and over, "God is great—everything works together for good for His servant." I'll tell the world how great and good you are, I'll shout Hallelujah all day, every day."

What's the takeaway message for listeners?

That I continue to follow Christ... I'm graduating from college in May and I'm doing music full-time. I'm pretty busy these days but I'm able to think about how God is in control. I can literally just follow His lead and He'll take care of everything. I've spent time studying God's Word in conjunction with each of my songs to make sure my heart is right with the Lord.

Whether I wrote my songs in my dorm room or with someone else, I want every one of my songs to relate to who I am as a person. With this song I remember that when I wrote the bridge, "Sometimes when I wake up, I don't wanna rise up, Out of my bed, too many thoughts in my head…" I was really tired at the time. I had so much to do and so much on my plate I remember sitting with my head in my hands saying those words, and then leading to me deciding I needed to make the commitment: "Don't wanna be who I used to be, Gonna take the back seat and let You lead…" I remember after I finished that part of the song that I knew God would give me rest and guide me.

Lyrics:
I've got waves that are tossin' me,
Crashin' all over my beliefs,
And in all sincerity, Lord,
I wanna be Yours,
So pull me out of this mess I'm in,
Cause I know I'm wanderin'
Lead my soul back home again,
I've always been Yours,

And this world may push, may pull,
But Your love it never fails,

You lead, I'll follow, Your hands hold my tomorrow,
Your grip, Your grace, You know the way,
You guide me tenderly,
When You lead, I'll follow,
Just light the way and I'll go,
Cause I know what You got for me is more than I can see,
So lead me on, on, on and on,
Just lead me on, on, on and on,

As a child I heard Your voice,
But as a girl I made my choice,
There is no other way for me,
I'm devoted to You,
You're my peace on the heavy days,
You're the warmth of an autumn blaze,
Your love carries me away,
And it's never too soon, no...

And this world may push, may pull,
But Your mercy never fails,

You lead, I'll follow, Your hands hold my tomorrow,
Your grip, Your grace, You know the way,
You guide me tenderly, yeah,
When You lead, I'll follow,
Just light the way and I'll go,
Cause I know what You got for me is more than I can see,
So lead me on, on, on and on,
Just lead me on, on, on and on,

Sometimes when I wake up, I don't wanna rise up,
Out of my bed, too many thoughts in my head,
Don't wanna be who I used to be,
Gonna take the back seat and let You lead,
And I...
Need to stop, need to stop,
Cause I'm going too fast,
And I...
Know my God is still God, And You got my back,

You lead, I'll follow, Your hands hold my tomorrow,
Your grip, Your grace, You know the way,
You guide me tenderly, yeah,
When You lead, I'll follow,
Just light the way and I'll go,
Cause I know what You got for me is more then I can see,
So lead me on...
Lead me on...

And I...
Need to stop, need to stop,
Cause I'm going too fast,
And I...
Know my God is still God, And You got my back,
You got my back,
I know ya got me, I know ya got me,
I know ya got me, Lead me on...

Matthew Henry's commentary: "The nature of the Word of God, and the great intention of giving it to the world; it is a lamp and a light. It discovers to us, concerning God and ourselves, that which otherwise we could not have known; it shows us what is amiss, and will be dangerous; it directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. It must be not only a light to our eyes, to gratify them, and fill our heads with speculations, but a light to our feet and to our path, to direct us in the right ordering of our conversation, both in the choice of our way in general and in the particular steps we take in that way, that we may not take a false way nor a false step in the right way. We are then truly sensible of God's goodness to us in giving us such a lamp and light when we make it a guide to our feet, our path."

One of Jamie's strengths in addition to her soothing and strong vocals are her infectious and engaging lyrics. "You Lead" is a great follow-up to "Hold Me" with the electronic pop arrangement by producer Chris Stevens, and the prayerful and sincere chorus: "You lead, I'll follow, Your hands hold my tomorrow, Your grip, Your grace, You know the way, You guide me tenderly, When You lead, I'll follow, Just light the way and I'll go, ‘cause I know what You got for me is more than I can see, so lead me on."

She further demonstrates her commitment in the lyrics: "And I... know my God is still God and You got my back."

Jamie is truly a "God Girl" and is a wonderful role model for any age girl. Being a father of three young daughters, I heartily recommend Jamie's songs and her ministry, GraceTalk, where she conducts Bible studies and talks about her unashamed commitment to Jesus.

Lord, thank You for amazing Christian music artists like Jamie-Grace who love You and want to glorify Your name through their songs. Thank You for giving Jamie the gift of song-writing and singing so that she can give her offering of praise and worship back to You. Thank You for this great song that fires me up about the Love that You have for us Lord. To You be all the glory.

(Listen to the song here.)