Many people have ambivalent feelings about their religious faith and how it applies to them, especially in hard times. Country singer Carly Pearce is evidently among them. She worked through some of her conflicting emotions and questions in a potent new song, "Church Girl," which dropped on January 23. The quietly meditative track fearlessly plumbs Pearce's deepest thoughts about religion and will resonate with many listeners.
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Pearce Explained Her Evolving Connection With Her Faith
"I'm a girl who grew up in church, I grew up with faith being a very big part of my life, it still is a very big part of my life, but I think there are a lot of double standards with faith," the singer shared per People.
"There's a lot of things that have happened in my life that maybe are not very pretty, none of us are perfect, and I've had to live that out in public. And have felt as a Christian woman a lot of shame and guilt and judgment and confusion."
It seems as if Pearce rigorously questioned whether she was living up to an unwritten lofty standard of Christian conduct. And if she fell short as many sometimes do, was she still a good Christian who was loved by God? "I [also] needed [this song] when I was going through a very public relationship splitting, and 'Oh gosh, I feel like I've let God down of what marriage is. So many different things in my life that I've been like, 'Well, does this mean I'm not a Christian? Does this mean that God hates me?'"
She Ultimately Forgave Herself for Her Very Human Slip-Ups
Carly Pearce, 35, has apparently found clarity about what she would tell herself today. It is a kind and compassionate message of clear-eyed tolerance. Per the outlet, "I think what I have come to find for myself is I wish I could go back and tell her, 'You're okay, you're okay, and we're all on a journey. We're all figuring it out, and no matter where you're at on your journey, Jesus loves you. I know that.'"
She is also sending a similar message to her fans. "I wanted them to know, I don't judge you, I don't want you to feel shame, I don't want you to feel guilt. I want you to know that we're all human beings and you're welcomed here."
