Christian music seems to finally be getting the recognition it deserves. More and more people are tuning into Christian radio stations, movies are including sound tracks from Christian artists, and Christian concerts are selling out!

Steven Curtis Chapman is one such musician who strives to use his musical talents to ignite a passion for God in everyone hearing his work. Chapman’s latest album, The Glorious Unfolding, has already been getting rave reviews from major sources such as USA Today and Billboard.

The Glorious Unfolding is Chapman’s 18th album. He wanted to create something new and different while still being relatable to existing fans, and he has undoubtedly succeeded in doing just that.

This album includes the hit single “Love Take Me Over.” With its upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics, it’s no wonder this song has taken radio by storm. While this album is of course meant to please fans, it is a largely personal work with songs written specifically for and about Chapman’s family and friends. “Only One and Only You” was written for his 13-year-old daughter and includes beautiful lyrics like these;

I caught you looking in the window at your reflection and
I could see you were unimpressed
I watch you whither like a willow at what you think are imperfections
When you compare you to all the rest
And I wish I could find a way to make you see you the way I do
So I wrote this song for you

From the outside looking in, Chapman’s life and career may seem wonderfully blessed and nearly picture perfect.

For more than 25 years, Chapman has inspired fans with his music — he has numerous hit singles and has won five Grammys during the course of his career as a musician.

Part of what makes Chapman so appealing to his fans is the truth and raw human emotion that he portrays in his songs. While Chapman has certainly enjoyed many professional successes, Chapman and his family have faced some truly unthinkable tragedies, including the death of their five-year-old daughter in 2008.

It is not uncommon for marriages to disintegrate with the death of a child; such tragedy literally tears a family apart. Chapman was determined not to let that happen.

There were times when he was uncertain if he would be able to continue his music career. With each album that Chapman produces, fans are taken on a journey and can feel the same emotions, same struggles and ultimately the same hope and faith that Chapman himself is experiencing.

If anyone understands struggle, pain and hardship it is Chapman. But even with his unimaginable heartache and unspeakable loss, Chapman finds great peace, solace, comfort and hope in God. He says this perfectly with these lyrics from another Glorious Unfolding track “Something Beautiful.”

And God’s says
I’m gonna turn it into something different
I’m gonna turn it into something good
I’m gonna take all the broken pieces
And make something beautiful like only I could

We all face heartache and we all face times of uncertainty, but God can take these burdens, these pains and these messes and truly create something beautiful with them. This is exactly what The Glorious Unfolding is all about. Check here for the full discography and lyrics.

Upcoming Tour locations include Canada, Washington, Nevada and California. Click here for a full list of tour dates and locations. Be sure to get your tickets quickly as they are selling out fast.