As Karyn Williams performs concerts she hopes to inspire people to step out of their comfort zones and walk in obedience to God’s calling on their lives.
While growing up, Williams realized the great need and tremendous impact of connecting orphan children to their forever families — as her parents adopted 14 children from around the world.
She wrote the song “Just May Be” to remind people about the importance of reaching out and making a difference in the life of a child.
Willing to say yes
“My parents didn’t sit down and plan to adopt that many children,” Williams said. “They just saw a need, felt the call and were willing to say yes. We each have the opportunity to be the answer to a prayer, the one to meet a need. I think we get overwhelmed sometimes with the negative statistics surrounding an issue like adoption. So often we turn our heads thinking that we can’t change the world because we can’t help every single person who needs help.
“As Christians, we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life each day. You have a ministry right where you are, and you can do something today that will impact one person’s life forever.”
During concerts Williams desires to encourage families with biblical truths.
“For me, high school was the time when my relationship with the Lord became real,” Williams said. “My faith has sustained me throughout my entire life, and my relationship with Christ has grown even deeper over the last couple of years. I’m thrilled to be able to share about Christ through music.
“In the summer of 2007 I packed up my car and felt like the Lord was saying, ‘Go, I’ve got something really special for you in Nashville.’ I was terrified and excited all at the same time. I promised the Lord that I would be willing to walk through any door that He opened, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone. I knew that it would be a step of faith, but I needed to trust Him. He has been faithful to lead and open doors throughout this journey.”
The songs on her album, “Only You,” emphasize that Christ is the source of true fulfillment and freedom.
“The title track of the record was written in the middle of the night,” Williams said. “I was wrestling with things in life that were just hitting me left and right. I felt like the Lord was reminding me: ‘At the end of your life, none of these things will matter. There’s only one thing that matters — whether you knew Me, loved Me, served Me and told everyone you could about Me.’ I just kept hearing over and over again that night, ‘Only You, Only You.’ That’s all that will matter at the end of our lives. For that to be the title track of my first record is really special. It’s my heart put to a melody. It’s what I want my life to stand for.”
‘Opportunity to shine His light’
In the midst of writing songs for this album Williams’ father was diagnosed with cancer. During this time she was reminded about the importance of sharing messages filled with unshakeable truths.
“I remember when my dad was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of cancer,” Williams noted. “The phone call that I received from him was devastating, and as humans we immediately begin asking, ‘Why is this happening? Are we being punished for something?’ It’s been a journey of understanding that this did not come as a surprise to the Lord. He is not punishing us. But it is an opportunity to shine His light in different places. My dad said, ‘Nothing happens to us that isn’t Father-filtered. I know that God will use this.’ It was amazing to me that in the very next breath, my dad was reminding me of God’s power. My dad reminded me that this is when your faith really becomes real; you either cling to it or run from it.”
Through her music and message, Williams desires to help people establish a solid foundation through a relationship with Christ.
“Whether people are listening to this album or at a concert, I really want them to take away a message of hope and freedom in the Lord,” Williams said.
“It’s an honor for me to be able to create music that is kind of like a big hug for people. We all have pain that we carry around with us every day. As an artist one of my favorite things to do is getting out and talking with people. I want to be real with people. I feel very honored that I get to do that and have the opportunity to spread a little hope and a smile into their lives.”
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