MercyMe - Who You Are Lyrics
Lyrics
(Who You are!)
(1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4!)
The sky around me is turning black
I can't see ahead of me and I can't see back
I've been going for miles and miles
Lord, please tell me, is this worthwhile?
I don't know
Like a travelling circus, the painted town
Painted smiles are on every frown
Lord, I'm sick of all these masks
The naked truth is all I ask of You
Can't they see me for who You are?
Can't they see me for who You are?
It seems that falling down is a past time of mine
Take my dirty water, Lord, and change it into wine
Heal my wounds but don't take my scars
Let them see me for who You are
Let my heart smile upon me now
Eternal joy, why don't you hang around?
All the earth is what I see
The inheritance of the blessed me, oh yeah
What if I'm the only glance of You they see?
What if how I live of what I say
Persuades their eternity?
Can't they see me for who You are?
Can't they see me for who You are?
It seems that falling down is a past time of mine
Take my dirty water, Lord, and change it into wine
The sky around me is getting thin
I see what's ahead of me and I have no fear
I'll keep going for miles and miles
'Cause the Lord said it's all worthwhile
Heal my wounds but don't take my scars
Let them see me for who You are
Let them see me for who You are
Let them see me for who You are
Video
MercyMe - You Are I Am (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
"Who You Are," released in 2012 as part of MercyMe's "The Hurt & The Healer" album, delves into the profound struggle of bearing witness to God's presence in a world often shrouded in darkness and pretense. The song opens with a stark depiction of spiritual confusion and weariness, a soul lost in a haze, questioning the purpose of their journey. This imagery of a darkening sky and an inability to see either forward or back resonates with the psalmist's lament in Psalm 88:18, "You have removed from me friend and neighbor; my companions are darkness." The opening lines capture a raw vulnerability, a desperate plea for guidance, acknowledging the arduous miles traversed and the gnawing doubt about their ultimate worth. This feeling of being overwhelmed is further amplified by the metaphor of a "travelling circus" and "painted town," highlighting the superficiality and deceptive appearances that permeate society. The lyrics express a deep longing for authenticity, a weariness of the masks people wear, and a yearning for the unvarnished truth, echoing Jesus' teachings on the importance of sincerity, as seen in Matthew 6:16 where He rebukes those who disfigure their faces to appear to others to be fasting.
The central cry of the song, "Can't they see me for who You are?", is a powerful articulation of the Christian's desire to be a conduit of God's light and love to the world. It’s an aspiration to transcend personal flaws and failures, even while acknowledging them. The line, "It seems that falling down is a past time of mine," bravely confronts imperfection, a common human experience that the song seeks to redeem. This is where the transformative power of faith comes into play, with the poignant request, "Take my dirty water, Lord, and change it into wine." This is a direct allusion to the miracle at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), symbolizing God's ability to take the mundane, the flawed, and the broken and turn it into something beautiful and life-giving. The prayer, "Heal my wounds but don't take my scars," is particularly profound. It recognizes that our struggles, while painful, can become testaments to God’s faithfulness and enduring grace. The scars, rather than being erased, become a visible reminder of the battles fought and the victories won through Christ, aligning with Paul's affirmation in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
As the song progresses, a shift occurs. The perspective moves from personal struggle to a realization of the immense responsibility of being a witness. The question, "What if I'm the only glance of You they see?" carries the weight of our calling to reflect Christ's image. This is the essence of the Great Commission, to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), and to let our light shine before others so they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. The song paints a hopeful picture of transformation as the "sky around me is getting thin," and clarity replaces confusion. The fear of the unknown dissipates, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and perseverance, fueled by the assurance that the journey is indeed worthwhile because of God’s promise. The repeated refrain, "Let them see me for who You are," becomes an anthem of surrendered will and a declaration of dependence on divine power, a constant reminder that our ultimate worth and identity are found not in ourselves, but in the unchanging nature of God.