BEC Recordings artist and American Idol alum Evelyn Cormier has quickly established herself as one of Christian music's most compelling new voices. After introducing listeners to her heartfelt blend of faith, vulnerability, and hope with “Like Me Better,” she continued building momentum through songs such as “Stay Close” and “Leaning on Jesus.”
What sets Evelyn apart is her ability to pair deeply personal truths with accessible, uplifting pop melodies. Her music consistently points listeners back to God's grace, offering encouragement to those facing fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt. Whether she's singing about identity, surrender, or trusting God through difficult seasons, her sincerity shines through every lyric.
Backed by polished production and a powerful vocal delivery, Evelyn continues to release songs that resonate long after the music ends. I recently had the opportunity to speak with her about her latest single, “Leaning on Jesus,” and the faith journey that inspired it.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I wrote "Leaning On Jesus" at the end of myself, during a season when I'd never been more desperate for heaven's intervention. It's a song for the person who feels like they can't take another step—a reminder that we can lean on Jesus.
My transition into Christian music comes from a clear calling that was shaped through some of the lowest moments of my life, especially after my divorce. For a long time, I didn't feel called to Christian music. But there's something about hitting rock bottom that draws us closer to Christ.
This song became my launching pad toward that calling.
Which Bible verses relate to the song's message?
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV): “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Psalm 55:22 (NIV): "Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
John 15:4-5 (VOICE): "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing."
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 4:18 (NKJV): "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
What is the takeaway message?
This song is based on the biblical themes of trust and surrender. I hope it offers comfort to those who are navigating uncertainty and hardship. When our strength runs out, God's grace remains, and there is always a place to lean.
I've found that striving for perfection can sometimes get in the way of freely receiving God's grace. Lately, God has been reminding me that life isn't about trying to earn others' acceptance. Instead, it's about living from the reality that we have already been accepted by Him.
Walking with God isn't a burden, nor is it about simply following rules. It's about trusting Him, surrendering to His grace, and finding rest in His love.
Lyrics
Cause my feet can't go another step
And I really need to catch my breath
Cause I'm desperately grasping for steady ground
Something I can build my life around
Cause I'm tired
Like a child, asking to be carried
And He won't let me go
That's why
That's why I'm leaning on Jesus
I'm resting in the Father
Found peace in my Savior
The kind that never fades
I'm leaning on mercy
I'm leaning on power
I need someone strong enough to hold my heart
And I know that I can fall into His arms
So I'm leaning on Jesus
I'm leaning on Jesus
Cause He gave me somewhere I could run
Cause my hand feels good in a bigger one
And His love's like a tree that'll never bend
And I'm safer here than I've ever been
It feels like home
The sweetest kind of refuge I have known
The way He picks me up and holds me close
I was broken
Now I'm healing
I'm stronger now than I've ever been
Cause I'm not strong enough on my own
Cause the ground beneath my feet isn't steady
Cause I'm broken and I need Him
Cause this life is too hard without Him
Cause the burdens that I have are too heavy
Cause I can't find rest
Cause I need you for every single breath
Cause I'm lost
Cause I can't see the end
Cause my feet can't carry me another step
Cause I'm tired
Closing Thoughts
After repeated listens, the song deepens with comforting messages from the Bible: that God is love and that we love because He first loved us. It celebrates the freedom we are promised in God's Holy Word. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Christians are renewed internally. God desires us to trust in the freedom secured by Jesus's sacrifice. We are liberated from fears, addictions, insecurities, and perfectionism. Jesus died for us so that we can genuinely live through Him.
This song is all about trusting in God and confessing to Him and others when you fail or have struggles. Lay those at the feet of Jesus, and He'll take them from you and release you from that burden. He wants to hear from you. This song includes a testimony of submission to the Lord that we can all pray about our personal struggles. Our weaknesses are nothing to hide.
In fact, because of our weaknesses, God's grace and strength are perfectly revealed. God will be there to pick us up when we fall. The challenge when listening to this song is to identify an area of your life you've been trying to control and instead step out, placing all your hope and trust in God.
Jesus is the answer to all that we want and need. We all need God to fix our beautiful messes in some way. The beauty of grace is that it's freely given, not something we deserve or earn. The Holy Spirit gives us a new life. We don't have to live with guilt, fear, or worry anymore. We're born again. Our old life is dead. Believing the words of this song is a great way to work on the disciplines of self-examination and prayer. Faith is when we are empty of ourselves and filled with Him and His Holy Spirit.
I can’t get enough of the worshipful chorus, “That's why I'm leaning on Jesus/I'm resting in the Father/Found peace in my Savior/The kind that never fades/I'm leaning on mercy/I'm leaning on power/I need someone strong enough to hold my heart/And I know that I can fall into His arms/So, I'm leaning on Jesus.” Amen to that.
