Singer-songwriter and Christian music breakout artist Lauren Daigle captured her first No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart with the song entitled "Trust in You." The tune is from her debut full-length "How Can It Be," which has been in the No. 1 spot for five weeks on the Top Christian Albums chart.
One of Daigle's fans, Kathleen Varga Manfredo, said her No. 1 designation is well-deserved. "I so enjoy your beautiful, inspirational, touching music. Your songs touch my heart and fill me up with the faith I need when I find myself questioning life," she posted on social media.
Faith and music intertwined in this Louisiana native's life. Growing up in a region steeped in blues, country, zydeco and Cajun music inspired Daigle to frame her worship music in a unique light. But Daigle admits she almost pushed music to the backburner, unsure if it was her true calling, until a devastating virus and illness when she was 15 years old brought her young life into sharper focus.
"When I wrote 'Trust in You' with my dear friend Michael Farren, I was going through a time of significant loss, which catapulted me on a quest for clarity," the 24-year-old Lafayette, La., resident told Billboard. "Will I blame God for the disappointments in my life or will I stand on the promises that His ways are higher, even when it's difficult to believe?
"I've found that trusting Him is the antidote for the moments when life's weight is too great to bear, and that He always comes through with comfort. I'm so touched that this song has pointed people to the hope that comes when we trust the greatest loving Father."
She said trust is the continuing theme on this record. "My heart's cry is that people feel empowered as a body of Christ. It's just heavy on my heart for all of us to rise up in unity and recognize the goodness of God. My hope is that people are empowered by knowing who they belong to, knowing that they are the son or daughter of God, and in response to that being able to worship fully, worship with complete abandon."
"Trust in You" is the third top five on Hot Christian Songs from Daigle's launch LP, following the title track and "First," which peaked at Nos. 5 and 2, respectively. The set holds at No. 3 on Top Christian Albums (8,000, up 11 percent) and has sold 264,000 to date.
Daigle said she has a passion to see lives changed, and knows that music is a powerful vehicle. "I hope that as these songs hit peoples' ears, they don't hear my voice, they don't hear really good production, so they can say, 'Whoa Lord, I'm encountering YOU right now.' That's my heart's cry for "How Can It Be." That people are moved and lives get changed because they get to encounter more about God and see His character."
"I'm constantly surprised by the hand of God moving," said Daigle.
