Singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli earned her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Performance for her hit single “Free To Be Me” from her debut record, My Paper Heart. “Free To Be Me” shattered records when it became the most added song by a female artist in Christian radio history, holding the number one slot for ten consecutive weeks and becoming the first number one song from a female at AC radio since 2005. Additionally, the song was the #4 most downloaded Christian Digital track for 2009.

After erupting onto the music scene, Francesca Battistelli is breaking multiple records as her radio singles rocket up the Christian charts! Francesca’s enthusiasm can’t help but find its way into her music. In fact, whether she’s talking about her accept-yourself-as-you-are anthem “Free to Be Me” or her newest single “It’s Your Life,” Francesca says “I really love this song. It’s so much fun to sing.”

That pervasive joy, along with Francesca’s adventurous musicianship and relatable songwriting makes My Paper Heart an impressive debut, which is being re-released as a deluxe edition with some additional recordings including an acoustic version of “It’s Your Life.”

I had the great opportunity to interview Francesca about her current single “It’s Your Life.” You can listen to our entire interview on “Kingdom Builder”.

This is the background she shared with me about the song:

What's the main message behind "It’s Your Life"?

Ultimately, I want to be an encouragement as an artist and a fellow believer. The Lord has continually called me to do things that are outside my comfort zone, whether it was accompanying myself on guitar for the first time in front of seasoned players or packing up and moving to Nashville last year knowing hardly anybody. Still, He's never left me, and He constantly shows me that it's worth it. I have parents who pray and encourage me to be bold and to take bold steps for Christ. I don’t think that’s common enough in the Christian culture. We have these big dreams, but many aren’t willing to take the steps to go after them. Yet this is the moment. We’re not promised tomorrow. So today’s the day.

How can listeners apply that message in their walk with God?

We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, and you can’t think that your choices don’t matter. The world is checking us out to see if we’re being real or being hypocrites. The world isn’t about us or our needs, but it’s about showing Jesus in our lives.

What verses did you use in writing the song?

Matthew 5:15-16: Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Here are the lyrics:

This is the moment
It’s on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way

Like Francesca said, as Christians we should be bold and take bold steps for Christ. We should let our light shine, like a city on a hill, and show our good works in order to glorify our Father in Heaven. That’s what being a believer is all about and this song is a great encouragement to believers to make the right choices, say who you are and who your heart beats for. While you listen to this great song, think about how you are showing others that you are living your life for Christ.