Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Faith has helped me with my music career

Creating a legacy of hope: Singer/songwriter Chelsea Amber Nisbett, who is the daughter of Bermudian Thomas WL Nisbett and granddaughter of Anglican Church Canon Thomas Nisbett(Photograph supplied)

Chelsea Amber Nisbett knew there’d be ups and downs in her music career.

She’s had to deal with rejection, find a way to open closed doors and struggle through financial challenges.

But through it all God has always made a way for her.

“Say there’s a door closed and I don’t know where to go next and I’m feeling directionless in that moment, it helps to remember the only decision that truly matters is whether or not I’m walking towards God,” the 28-year-old said.

“No matter what goes on around me [the question to ask is] ‘Am I making decisions that get me closer to Him?’

“When I get to Judgement Day, God’s not worried about if I got a gig for this day.

“He wants to know if I spent time with Him, so if rejection comes or I’m not in a place I want to be, I can recognise that the thing that’s always going to be there is my relationship with God.

“The Bible says He never changes. He is the ultimate source of joy no matter what the situation is.”

Miss Nisbett is the daughter of Thomas WL Nisbett and granddaughter of Anglican Church Canon Thomas Nisbett.

She made the decision to follow Christ at the age of seven, and found her faith became even stronger in her teens.

“Anybody that grows up in a Christian home, at some point has to decide for themselves that they are going to own their faith and not just piggyback off their parents,” she said.

“So certainly I went through that stage where anytime there were any challenges that came along I was able to depend on God to help me through it. When you’re younger those challenges are drama with your friends or exams coming up and they change as you get older, but the relationship is still the same and God will carry you through.”

Miss Nisbett said she had to learn that only God could satisfy her, that she shouldn’t expect that comfort from other people or situations.

“I guess I would describe myself as less like a microwave Christian and more like a slow-cooking roast as I’m continually being developed over time,” she said.

“I feel like God refines us as we grow in Him.

“As I got older I was able to meet and see God in a new light and develop a better understanding of grace and the freedom that I have in my relationship with Him.

“These are always things you know in your head, but sometimes it takes time to grow into it and fully understand it. Not that I’ve fully arrived. I still feel there are a lot of things to grow into, but I’ve found God to be a very loving and good Father, not someone who’s angry and waiting to punish us whenever we make a mistake.”

Miss Nisbett has released three studio albums and spends most of her time touring North America.

When business is slow she works as a substitute teacher at her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

She says the best part of being an entertainer is meeting and connecting with people from around the world.

Another great perk? Hearing first-hand how fans have been impacted by songs such as Beautiful Mess of a Girl and Someone’s Precious Girl.

She’s only performed the latter song once publicly, but was extremely pleased with the crowd’s response.

“Even after that one time, I had a couple people approach me to share their personal stories and struggles with depression. It’s a privilege to share hope through music,” Miss Nisbett said.

“That’s pretty much my goal every time I perform, to create a legacy of hope.

“So when I have people coming up to me it confirms I’m on the right track and that this is what I’ve been called to do.”

Miss Nisbett has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember.

“I just can’t help but do music,” she said. “I’ve honestly quit so many times, but pick it back up the next day.

“I don’t know any musician that would say it’s an easy journey but the reward is when people tell me they were encouraged by my music.

“Through music I’ve also been able to befriend a lot of really wonderful people and being a relationship person, I love the friendships I’ve been able to make and going out on the road with my friends to play.”

Follow her on Facebook: Chelsea Amber.

<p>CHELSEA’S CHRISTIAN MUSIC PLAYLIST</p>

What’s currently playing on Chelsea Amber Nisbett’s Christian music playlist:

1. It Is Well. This song by Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music gets Miss Nisbett excited about what God can do in the midst of hardships. She said: “I love the line that says ‘This mountain that’s in front of me will be thrown into the midst of the sea’.”

2. Good Good Father. This mellow tempo tune by Housefires always reminds Miss Nisbett that she can find her identity in God’s love. “I love the chorus that says, ‘And I’m loved by you. It’s who I am’,” she said.

3. Great Are You Lord. American Christian worship music duo, All Sons & Daughters, perform this powerful song about how great God is. Miss Nisbett said it’s a “reminder that everything we have comes from Him”. She especially likes this line: “It’s your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise”.

4. Ever Be. Kalley Heiligenthal sings this emotive song about God. Miss Nisbett said: “I love the use of marriage imagery to describe God’s love: ‘Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold, like a vow that is tested, like a covenant of old’.”