An understanding of God's love
by Anny Stevens-Gleason
In 1998, I was in the 7th Grade. It was that year that I was Confirmed and also had a complete ACL reconstruction. I played many sports and studied dance. That same year I started teaching myself the guitar. I found my mother’s old guitar at my grandmother’s house and got to learning.
The other thing that was happening at that time, was the rising popularity of contemporary Christian music. I bought the CDs. Went to Family Bookstore at the mall and would see the new releases on the wall of CDs, but I wasn’t too sure of it all. Most of it was too shiny for me, but as any good kid, peer pressure got the best of me, and I kept buying them.
An album released that year that I found on that wall, was by Jennifer Knapp, titled “Kansas”. It was beautiful.The disc itself had this red toile like pattern printed on it. Then I listened to it.
I was blown away. This was contemporary Christian music that made sense to me. It wasn’t over produced, it was relatable. Just a guitar and voice. (There were other instruments mixed in, but for me that was what it was) And I know there is a whole generation of Christians that relate to exactly that.
This album influenced who I am and the music I make today. It is the authenticity of this music that I think drew me to it.
Also, it is not lost on me that Jennifer Knapp came out as gay years later. There was a truth in her music and an understanding of God’s love that was not mainstream at the time, and was something I recognized as truth.
Jennifer Knapp’s music is very much a part of who I am today. It formed me and my understanding of music and the influence music can have on one’s life. Her music has stayed with me all these years. And as a gay Christian woman I am able to proudly continue to listen to her music.
While it's not perfect, have a listen below to my rendition of Jennifer Knapp's "Martyrs & Thieves".
