Meaning of "Like A Child" by Jars Of Clay

In "Like a Child," Jars of Clay explores the theme of faith and its power to move mountains, walk on water, heal the broken, and find salvation. The song starts with a plea to God, acknowledging the speaker's vulnerability and their need for support. The bridges they walk across are weak, symbolizing the challenges and uncertainties they face in life. The frustrations they feel cannot be solely endured, highlighting the importance of relying on something greater than themselves.

The lyrics speak to a sense of distance or disconnection from God's presence. The speaker acknowledges that they have turned away and searched for answers that they cannot understand. This longing for understanding and the desperate desire to reconnect with God is a central theme in the song.

The idea of having faith like a child is a recurring motif. It suggests the need to approach faith with the same innocence, trust, and abandon as a child. The lyrics imply that as people grow older, they may lose this recklessness and become burdened by doubts and fears. The speaker wonders if they have grown to lose their childlike faith and seeks to regain it.

The repetition of the line "They say" throughout the song suggests that the speaker is grappling with societal expectations and opinions about faith. There is an element of doubt and questioning present in the song, as the speaker contemplates whether they can truly move mountains, walk on water, or find salvation through faith.

Overall, "Like a Child" is a song that explores the complexities of faith and the struggle to maintain a childlike trust in God amidst the challenges and uncertainties of life. It invites listeners to reflect on their own faith journey and challenges them to rekindle the innocence and trust they once had.