Oh Jesus-Jon McLaughlin — Shalom Sisters

There is something so raw about this song. I almost feel as if I'm eavesdropping on Jon while he prays. This tender melody is like a cool healing balm for my scorched heart. How songwriters are able of taking the deepest longings and feelings of their heart, then put them into song, beautiful soul stirring songs, is too much for me to wrap my mind around. Thank you Jon, for your transparency and for putting words to questions that must be in the hearts of so many others.

I do want to point out, because of the first verse, that you and I haven't and never will, do anything to prove to Jesus that we are worth it. He decided we were worth it when He created us. He confirmed we were worth it when He voluntarily died on the cross to take on God's wrath for us. It isn't within our power to be worthy of His love or sacrifice. In light of how rotten I can be, what sweet relief that knowledge brings!

I think what I truly love about this song is the way it demonstrates the struggle continually happening between our flesh and our spirit. Did you notice that Jon is basically answering his own questions? The verses are his human heart crying out to God and the chorus answers back with his return to the foundation of Christ.

The verses on the state of our world really resonate with me. Chaos, confusion, and tragedy are symptoms of a broken world and as people who follow Christ, the sorrow of the world weighs heavy on our hearts. Like Jon, I long to know they "why's" of God's plan. For now, we must take action as we can, then rest in His sovereignty.

My favorite stanza in this song is when Jon's questions lead him to total surrender, "I owe you so much more than I give, so this life I live you can have". That's where our questions and our searching ultimately lead us isn't it? Back to the cross where we heap our burdens, our fears, our uncertainty, and our biggest questions at His feet. Then, we get back in the race and run, because, as the last line states, we are, because of Jesus.

Oh, Jesus
Can You hear me now?
Oh, Jesus
I'm just wondering how I'm doing
Am I proving worth
All the time You've spent
Oh, Jesus

I know You're there
Oh, Jesus
Have You decided where I'm going?
You know I'm hoping
To be with You in the end

Oh, come what may
Through the black and blue
I will thank God for You
Jesus

I was so confused
Oh, Jesus
Have You seen the news
Tell me please
Help me see the way it all really works
Oh, Jesus

We yell so loud
Oh, Jesus
And Your name rolls out our mouths like fools
Tell me do we help or do we hurt?

And oh, come what may
Through the black and blue
I will thank God for You
Jesus

Have Your scars healed
Oh, Jesus
Can You still feel that cross
And friends You lost
And do You ever want to take it back?

Oh, Jesus
Yeah I know
Jesus
That I owe You so much more
Than I can give
So this life I live
You can have

And oh, come what may
Through the black and blue
I will thank God for You

'Cause I am
Because of Jesus

If you didn't know about Jon McLaughlin, you're welcome! Be sure to listen to LOTS more of his stuff. He's a very talented artist!