Jackie Hill Perry - First Draft

Christian Music

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About Jackie Hill Perry

Jackie Hill Perry is an American author, Bible teacher, poet and emcee from St. Louis, Missouri, who released Christian hip-hop albums The Art of Joy (2014) and Crescendo (2018) before returning to music via Reach Records in 2024 with "First Draft."

Faith journey and beliefs

Perry has publicly shared her testimony of a same-sex relationship and turbulent youth before a 2008 conversion experience in which she says God revealed that her lifestyle would harm her, leading her to commit her life to Jesus; she is the author of the book Gay Girl, Good God about this journey.

What this song is about

Perry has described "First Draft" as literally an unpolished, exploratory reintroduction to rapping after years away from music, marking her return to Reach Records; she frames it as a preview of her voice and craft rather than a fully resolved thematic statement, alongside the broader redemption narrative of her public testimony.

Sources

This sits in the Music collection on Face of Faith, films, documentaries, music and books that shaped one person's journey into Christianity. If it lands with you, explore real testimonies, bite-sized faith snippets and why Christianity.

Reflection

Calling something a first draft acknowledges that it is unfinished, imperfect and still subject to revision, and there is a helpful humility in applying that idea to our own lives and character. Scripture describes ongoing transformation rather than instant perfection: 'being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion,' Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, framing spiritual growth as a process rather than a finished product. This is genuinely good news for anyone frustrated by their own slow progress or repeated failures, since it means the current version of ourselves, flaws included, is not the final one. Thinking of ourselves as a first draft rather than a failed final copy allows room for grace, patience and continued growth without the despair of feeling permanently stuck. It also encourages patience with others who are equally unfinished, recognising that everyone is a work in progress under the same patient, editing hand of God.

Questions to sit with

What part of yourself do you most wish God would 'edit' or change?
How do you respond to your own slow progress or repeated mistakes?
How might viewing others as unfinished drafts affect your patience with them?

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