Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhema Smithwick.
Hi Rhema , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved music since I was a little girl. I used to dream of being a pop star, and singing my songs to people and sharing my love for music with the world. As I grew older, I always held on to my love for music as I learned to play the guitar and bass and developed my singing skills, but it was always for fun. Then I had the opportunity to use the talent God had given me for my local church. I really learned a lot there and what it meant to steward your gifts for God. Sometime between teen-hood and adulthood, God really put it on my heart to start writing music and recording with whatever equipment I could get a hold of (GarageBand and a beat up microphone at the time haha) this also was more so for fun, but in the midst of all this I would burn cd discs and sell them to friends and family (and this is as the use of CDs was definitely already dying lol) but people still wanted to listen and support as rough as the songs sounded, but I am so grateful today, that there were people who encouraged my dream. After taking a break for a few years and going to Bible school, I really felt the Lord tell me that it was time to pursue writing and producing music in a more serious minded way. And slowly, but surely- I kept creating and kept writing, sometimes it would all feel like it was falling flat, other times I would feel on top of the world. Nonetheless, God kept kindly nudging me to keep going even if it let like an uphill battle. A pattern I always recognized was that as I took steps of faith and kept creating and trusting God in spite of circumstances or lack of confidence- He always met me at every step. Opening another door, or bringing encouragement through others, and I stay pursuing what He has put on my heart, I still always find Him faithful- every time!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A lot of struggles I dealt withalong the way was comparison, perfectionism, and lack of feeling equipped. Turns out, you don’t need to have every duck in a row or have everything figured out to pursue your dreams!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Christian independent self produced Christian artist- the music I create nowadays leans more toward surf indie rock sound! Something I deeply value in my music is the lyrical writing- I try to write in such a way that is first of all, God honoring but also deep, relatable and poetic.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I definitely think life is all about taking leaps of faith and risk taking. If we always waited until everything felt perfect or if we felt completely capable and equipped, wouldn’t that eliminate the need we have to rely on God’s strength to carry us?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armoramormusic/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/42Rm6uRrMIwetO6fb36lsn?si=04JE3iG2SDGbxLTRZ1-8Aw
