Jenn Johnson - I Can Feel You Lyrics
Lyrics
The wind and waves surround me
And I'm tossed, feel like I'm drowning
I am tired, I am weak
I need You here with me
'Cause I can feel the rising tide
But I don't have the strength to fight
I feel clouded and confused
I need You here with me
In the chaos of the storm
I have drifted far, far away
But I call out Your name
Cause You are just a breath
A breath away
Then through the shadows
Your light appears
I've known You're with me
But now it is clear
I can feel You, Jesus all around
Like sun on my skin
Warm to the touch
Here You surround me
I am held by love
I can feel You, Jesus all around
Now hope is rushing through my veins
With everything You've rearranged
I am peaceful, I am brave
When You're here with me
All my questions find their answers here
When You come You change the atmosphere
I am focused, I am clear
When You're here with me
There is nothing in this world
That will satisfy my soul like You do
Though the storm it rages
I won't be moved, I won't be shaken
I am anchored in You
I can feel You, Jesus all around
Video
I Can Feel You (Official Lyric Video) - Jenn Johnson | Tides
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on September 3, 2013, as part of Jenn Johnson's "Tides" project, "I Can Feel You" offers a profound exploration of human vulnerability in the face of life's trials and the comforting, transformative power of divine presence. The song captures a deeply personal journey from distress to peace, articulating a universal experience of feeling overwhelmed and then finding solace in God's unwavering nearness. It speaks to moments when the metaphorical "wind and waves" of circumstances surround us, leading to a sensation of being "tossed" and "drowning," weary and weak. This opening imagery vividly paints a picture of spiritual and emotional exhaustion, where an individual feels unable to contend with the "rising tide" of challenges, becoming "clouded and confused." It is a candid admission of human limitation, a humble cry echoing verses like Psalm 69:1-2, which speaks of waters rising to one's neck, and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where divine strength is perfected in our weakness.
The narrative continues to describe a feeling of having "drifted far, far away" amidst the storm's chaos, suggesting a sense of spiritual distance or disorientation. Yet, even in this lost state, there is an innate understanding that help is accessible, prompting the desperate yet hopeful declaration, "I call out Your name, cause You are just a breath, a breath away." This highlights the immediacy and intimacy of God's presence, aligning with passages like Psalm 145:18, assuring us that the Lord is near to all who call on Him, and James 4:8, which invites us to draw near to God so He will draw near to us. It underscores the truth that even when we feel furthest, a simple turn to Him closes the distance.
The song’s turning point arrives with striking clarity: "Then through the shadows Your light appears." This signals God’s intervention, piercing through the darkness of confusion and despair, much like the light described in John 1:5, which darkness cannot overcome. The realization, "I've known You're with me, but now it is clear," reflects a shift from theological understanding to a tangible, experiential knowing. The core message, "I can feel You, Jesus all around," is then beautifully unpacked through sensory imagery, likening His presence to "sun on my skin, warm to the touch," and an all-encompassing embrace: "Here You surround me, I am held by love." This imagery evokes the comforting assurance found in Psalm 139, where God’s presence is inescapable and comforting, and Romans 8:38-39, which declares that nothing can separate us from His steadfast love. It’s a profound testament to the real, perceptible comfort God offers in our deepest struggles.
The immediate effect of this divine encounter is a remarkable transformation. "Now hope is rushing through my veins" illustrates a sudden infusion of life and optimism, while the phrase "everything You've rearranged" speaks to God's power to reorder our inner world and outer circumstances. The previous weariness and confusion give way to newfound attributes: "I am peaceful, I am brave," "I am focused, I am clear." This mirrors the peace promised in Philippians 4:6-7, a peace that transcends understanding and guards our hearts and minds. The profound contentment expressed, "All my questions find their answers here, when You come You change the atmosphere," points to the holistic peace and understanding that only God can provide, bringing clarity where there was once doubt. The bridge further reinforces this singular reliance: "There is nothing in this world that will satisfy my soul like You do," echoing Psalm 16:11, where in God's presence is fullness of joy, and Psalm 73:25-26, which declares that in heaven and earth, there is nothing desired besides Him.
The song culminates in a powerful declaration of enduring faith and stability. "Though the storm it rages, I won't be moved, I won't be shaken, I am anchored in You." This affirms an unwavering trust that God serves as an unshakeable foundation, even when external circumstances remain turbulent. It is a powerful reflection of Hebrews 6:19, which describes hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure, and Psalm 62:6, which states, "Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." The final reiteration, "I can feel You, Jesus all around," serves as a triumphant affirmation of God’s constant, enveloping presence, providing deep encouragement that even in life’s fiercest gales, His tangible comfort and strength are always within reach, grounding us in His eternal love.