Oh Jesus - Jon McLaughlin
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 was 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?
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
What this life I live You can have
Oh, come what may through the black and blue I will thank God for You
'Cause I am, because of Jesus
Years ago I led this song in a tender moment in church that held space for the questions and the vulnerability that comes with faith and doubt. I had no idea how much this song would become a safe haven for me when the floorboards of my faith unexpectedly fell out. I found myself ministering while questioning and grieving nearly everything. This song tenderly held space for the questions we don't often ask. This song gave me permission to hold everything before God and say, "is this true? Are you there?" The slow and steady work of reconstruction was partly made possible by my spiritual director, friends, poems, journaling and prayer-songs much like this. I am so grateful for the non-rushed invitation to ask Jesus everything. Everything.
I've wanted to cover this song for a long time, and here we are. Thank you Jon McLaughlin for your beautiful words and inspiring prayer-song.