By Lizje Sarria

The Calling

My skin became a canvas for the colors shining through the stained glass window I found in the middle of a Colombian forest. I was seven years old when the backyard of my home became an amazing world of peace that I did not understand. It was so beautiful I could not describe in words so I would create melodies, hum them, and think to myself, “God must be here with me.” There was something in me that wanted to reach out like the light that shone through that broken stained glass. At the time I did not know who Jesus Christ really was or understand that I was made in the image of Love itself. But, from that moment on, growing up was going to be about brokenness.

I was about to become orphaned, turned into bits by the violence that surrounded me physically and mentally and that kept me silenced for many years for fear of my own life. It has been and still is an ongoing struggle to speak of. But, like the stained glass window that sings its own melodies of different colors of pain it did not choose, I would later understand that God would put my broken pieces together to create a work of art, God’s perfect composition of beauty and worth.

The Dream

It was a sunny day in Bogotá city and my father asked me, “What would you like to be when you grow up?” I responded, “I want to be a singer.” And as I continued to play with my dolls I would pretend to create a school with clean water, to speak in many languages, and that I would lead and help a lot of people.

I already had a strong sense of compassion and empathy at the time so perhaps my mind was passionate about constantly creating. My choices were either to plunge into hopelessness or keep following that peace I didn’t understand, the peace that kept me looking up.

As years went by, my life seemed dim in many ways, but my passion for music, theater, books, sports, and art was always a thirst and a determination.

I had the great fortune to be surrounded by angels called an adoptive mother, teachers, mothers of friends, and prayer warriors who were praying for me since the age of three, Christian saints I didn’t know until years later. For some reason I have always been blessed to have resilient women like the ones I would read about in the Bible. I look up to them. I strongly believe that these people in my life are an extension of God’s grace and hand. I am thankful to them for their guidance and prayers.

My childhood dream became clearer to me as I grew older.

It was perhaps in the most difficult moment where my dream became clearer to me. It was like the moon in a dark night sky. How would I see the moon so clearly if there was nothing dark to compare it to? My dream took root when I received Jesus and the first part of my dream became a reality after these words were engraved on my heart: “Even though your mother and your father have forsaken you, the Lord will lift you up.” That dream I had nourished in the difficult times with peace kept saying to me, “Sing, in many languages, help a lot of people. But above all, tell all who hear you the good news of knowing they too are Greatly Loved.”

The Leading

For my life and career it was a decision to embrace either what the world defined me as (Broken) or what Jesus defined me as (Greatly Loved). Identity is the most crucial source of where anyone can root their dream. My identity is on a solid ground that has kept me steady through to this day. From here I can stand tall and firm to create music and run my small live entertainment business as a woman and Latina under God’s blessings. My dream also opened up opportunities to become a godless person or one that could flourish in any desert. Contracts of nationwide tours, contracts to be a singer for famous stars and many other things came my way but did not give me peace. I am human and imperfect but God is always stronger than any weakness.

I’ve gone on to receive recognition in Colombia, on the radio, on TV, and opportunities to sing in front of over 100,000 people. Later on I felt led to study at the world renowned Berklee College of Music, graduating with a major in Pro-Music: Contemporary Writing and Production, Performance and a Performance minor in Latin music. I have had opportunities to work with Casita Limon Music and Sony Latin Music and am excited to see where God continues to lead me. My tip to aspiring artists is to seek peace and pursue it, for we are all God’s masterpiece, God’s perfect composition of beauty and worth.

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8, NIV).

Q&A

How long have you been singing?

Since I was five years old! When I was sixteen I had my first band and many concerts. But, it was in my twenties when I first sang in front of large crowds in festivals (10,000-100,000 people).

What is your singing style?

Soulful singing! I love to tell a story though the voice and hope my message gets heard. It ranges from jazz, pop, R&B and Latin.

What books or speakers have most influenced you?

Besides the Bible? Haha, Maya Angelou. All her poems and her book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Ravi Zacharias, Nina Simone and the courageous and strong women who speak into my life.

What’s a fun fact you’d like to share?

I love Pomeranians, cooking for friends, and learning Japanese.

The Scriptures say we are the body of Christ. What part of the body would you identify most with and why?

The ears. I like to listen and I am learning to keep listening. If we are speaking of 1 Corinthians 12, I would say I identify with the ministry of healing and worship.

What’s your favorite food, activity, etc.?

My favorite food ranges from Brazilian food to Japanese food. Bubble tea. I love to be in nature, near water especially. I like learning new languages and martial arts, lol.

Who in your life most influenced you and how did they influence you?

Perhaps my parents. They lived and live what they believe in. They love strongly and follow truth. This has allowed me to see what it is to love unconditionally and to take life one day at a time.

What artists most inspire you?

Because of their excellence: Miss Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Nina Simone, Jessie J, Kim Burrel, Mercedes Sosa, Mili Bermejo, Concha Buika, Sting, Ascend the Hill and many more.

What issues weigh heaviest on your heart?

The issues that weigh the heaviest on my heart are those people who are in sorrow and suffer great loss in any area of life or situation. People in prison, orphaned, sick, suffering from violence and injustice. May God give strength to those in need and provide. Especially in these times.

What gives you the most joy in life?

Simple things. Kind words. A friend. A good meal. Family. Music and having peace of mind. Simple things but they are luxury to me.

Where have you been most surprised by God in your life?

Every day! Haha, I am still here and alive. Maybe I am not done with what I was called to do, so if I wake up in heaven then that would be a great surprise! I am thankful to be here.

How do you hear God?

When I am most vulnerable and broken in spirit. I can hear God clearly through his Word. Especially when I am silent and not being my stubborn self. Haha.

What suffering do you most identify with?

Where do I start? Haha. I am not Jesus to have suffered everything in life. But, I can say God has kept me in his hand through many kinds of difficult storms.

What is your hope for the future? Or what do you look forward to in the years to come?

I hope to fulfill my calling before I go to heaven. I would like to help my family and many people. I wish to be a Matriarch. Haha. So, if it is in God’s will to be like an Esther or a Deborah or even a Martha or a Mary, that would be amazing! I look forward to God’s hand leading me and keeping me close to him. All I need is Jesus Christ to hold me close. I look forward to seeing God keep lighting up the world with his Mercy and Love.

“Sing it Loud. Sing it Clear.”

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIZJEMUSIC/

Instagram: @Lizjesmusic

Youtube: Lizje Sarria https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82apUXdYN1auo8qz2t-4pA

Linkedin: Lizje Sarria

Lizje Sarria is a versatile Colombian performer, songwriter/producer, and solo artist, born in Los Angeles, CA. Her musical journey began at the age of three when she started singing. Influenced by the sounds she heard growing up, Lizje learned to love music from the voices of Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Colombian Folklore and all kinds of soulful music. Her stylistic influences range from RnB, Gospel, Rock, Jazz, Funk, and Pop to the music of her Colombian roots. She completed her B.A. in Performance, Contemporary Writing and Production and Latin Music Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2017. Lizje is a true artist, soulful and driven by the healing power of music.