I'll Follow You is the newest release by the teen girl band The Rubyz, who are part of iShine Records. They based their band name on Proverbs 31:10, which says that a virtuous woman is more precious than rubies. Having been married for 22 years with three daughters who are in this same age range, the life-giving and edifying messages of this album really resonate with me. 

My daughters are 16, 12 and 10 years old, and this album is perfect for them. It has been one of my missions in sharing the biblical truth behind songs by Christians to help women who are bombarded with negative messages from the world regarding body image and identity to know that their true identity is found in the Person of Jesus. The message of identity is especially striking in the song "Breathtakingly Beautiful," as that's how God sees each and every one of us. I want my girls to know how much they are loved by me and their Heavenly Father.

The Rubyz' current lineup is made up of Addy Schneider (age 14), Jessica Coffey (14) and Tanner Davis (17). I had the chance to speak with Addy, Jessica and Tanner in-person at Creation about "Breathtakingly Beautiful."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

Tanner: This song was really important to me. I graduated from high school this past year. Throughout high school, I had a lot of acne issues. It was awful. I would stay home for a week pretending I was sick because I was so insecure that people would look at me, laugh at me, make fun of me and point it out to people. I was so stressed out about it. 

I wish I would have had this song during that time. The song tells us that God made you perfectly, and He doesn't care if you have acne or if you are having a bad hair day. He loves you for who you are, and He made you the way you are. He views you as perfect, that's how God made you, and He sees us as breathtakingly beautiful. He doesn't want you to change.

Jessica: Along with Tanner, I've had a lot of image issues as well. Especially last year when we were on tour, I picked out every single flaw when I looked at myself. I didn't see one thing, but I saw lots of little things that were mistakes that I wanted to fix but I couldn't control. This song really helped me realize that's not what is important. God sees me as beautiful. 

I know a lot of girls today struggle with the same issue. Everyone has days when they don't feel pretty, and they don't feel worth it. This song reminds you that you are always worthwhile to God, and that's what really matters.

Addy: I started public school for the first time last year, and I was so nervous about what I wore and what I looked like. I honestly wish I had this song at the time, because it reminds you of how beautiful you are and that it doesn't matter what anybody thinks. We are all special in our own way, and God loves you for who you are.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Proverbs 31:10 (NLT): "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies."

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."

Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV): "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV): "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You."

Song of Solomon 4:7 (NIV): "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Romans 12:2 (Voice): "Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."

1 Peter 3:4 (NLT): "You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

What is the takeaway message?

Jessica: The Scripture verse behind our band name and this song connects with Proverbs 31:10 which says that a virtuous woman is more precious than rubies. That really shows how much God cares about us. He sees us as more beautiful than rubies or any other precious jewel on earth. We are His creation, and He made the world for us. It shows how important we are to Him.

Tanner: Psalm 139:13-14 talks about how God made every part of you and how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." In the song we sing those words. That's so true. We are made by God, and that's so important to remember. That Scripture is ideal in describing what this song is about, and it also captures what we are about as The Rubyz. 

I think for me personally, and I know a lot of people deal with this, we care a lot about what people think of us on social media. We try to get likes and have a lot of followers. I feel like social media has become a big part of self-worth and self-value. I hope people take away from this song how that really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how many friends you have or how popular you are. Your relationship with Christ is what matters the most, not your outward appearance or what people think of you. I hope that's what people take away from this song and this album.

Addy: 1 Peter 3:4 says your beauty should not come from outward appearance but what is inside of you is all that matters. That is something my mom would always tell me when I was trying to look super pretty or something. She would tell me it doesn't matter what I look like on the outside, but what's on the inside is what counts.

Lyrics:
I want to see you ring out like a bell
Come on love and get out of your shell
You're not meant to be put on a shelf

That drum that's beating in your chest
Doesn't beat like anybody else
Stand up and be yourself

Be bold, be brave, you're fearfully and wonderfully made

You are a story with a heartbeat
Extraordinary, irreplaceable, a true original
You are anything but cliché
Perfect in your own way
You are unmistakably, breathtakingly beautiful

There will never be another you
Be proud and do that thing you do
Paint a smile on your heart like a tattoo

You were born to praise there is no doubt
Life is about stepping out
Life your voice, make a sound

You are a story with a heartbeat
Extraordinary, irreplaceable, a true original
You are anything but cliché
Perfect in your own way
You are unmistakably, breathtakingly beautiful

No, there's no hiding, there's no denying
Unmistakably, breathtakingly
No, there's no hiding, there's no denying
Unmistakably, breathtakingly

This song is about being made in God's image and not seeking society's approval, but knowing that God created and loves us all as we are. That critical message is heard loud and clear in this song. I am passionate about this topic. There are important messages about our self-worth and identity in Christ that we all need to hear. 

I can't help but get emotional when I listen to this song. I know it speaks to girls and women of all ages, but this song has many layers, and I relate to the message that God created us to have value. I look at my wife and I hope she is secure in my love for her, that she knows that I love her and would never leave her. I look at my daughters and I hope I am communicating to each of my girls that she is beautiful, that she is valuable, and that she is a blessing to me. I try to tell my daughters how much I love them every day, and that they are all truly beautiful because of their identity in Christ.

The song is a great reminder of the kind of heart we should have both as people valued by God and as Christians who can communicate our value to other people. As Christians, we are God's adopted sons and daughters. Don't let the world tell you who you are. It doesn't matter what you look like if you have Jesus on the inside. That's where we can find our true identities, in Him!

As people experience the music and ministry of The Rubyz, I pray that they know the truth of their identities, that they were made in God's image and likeness. His Word tells us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Having three young daughters, this song is the type of message that I want them to hear: "You are anything but cliché, perfect in your own way, you are unmistakably, breathtakingly beautiful." Amen to that!

Watch the music video below.