In a culture that tells you power and strength all lie within yourself, Matthew West boldly says something different through his album, Jesus Is King.
The 12-track album shows listeners how acknowledging God is in control gives them freedom.
“I think I’m looking at the world around me, and I’m seeing a society that gets obsessed with self-empowerment and control,” West told the Christian Post.
“As a follower of Christ, I think we see surrender to a king in a different light,” the singer continued. “I think a lot of times people equate acknowledging a higher authority [with] imprisonment or a loss of freedom. But as a follower of Christ, what I’ve discovered is when I surrender my life to a higher authority, I find freedom, not imprisonment. I find true strength and true power, not weakness.”
When you know God is by your side, you don’t feel alone. West also said it’s not just a culture of self-empowerment but an idolization of and over-reliance on things like AI tools and social media.
“There’s not a self-help book on the shelves that will offer you the keys to a successful life like God’s Word can,” he explained.
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West knows that truth comes out through the songs he writes, and his vulnerability helps others realize their struggles and draw closer to God.
“The more vulnerable and honest I’m being in my songwriting, the more somebody else is likely to hear a song and go, ‘Oh, I’m not the only one. Me too,’” he said. “That’s scary, but it’s necessary. I do hope that as I’ve made records for a long time now, I’ve gotten more comfortable wrestling with and living in that fear of being vulnerable, leaning into it, knowing that it has a greater chance to touch somebody’s life.”
West told his listeners that his songs all come from truth he’s realized. Above all, he wants them to know that Christ is Lord over their lives.
“I can’t wait for you to hear these songs and to share more behind the scenes,” he said.
The album just came out on Friday, Sept. 25.
The artist posted on Friday, “My prayer is that these songs meet you wherever you are and remind you that you were never meant to sit on the throne. The album is yours now. I can’t wait to hear which song speaks to you most. 👑”
The album is currently available on all major music platforms.
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