The moment I heard the lyrics to "Running Back To You" by Seph Schlueter, I was reminded of the prodigal son story in Luke 15. It's one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It's about a wayward son who grows up in his father's house, leaves to spend his inheritance on sinful pleasures and wild living, and then one when he hits rock bottom realizes he can run back home. He's expecting his father to only take him back into the household as a servant, but the father welcomes him back in as a son, embraces him with compassion, and throws a huge party to rejoice that his lost son had come home. It's an illustration of how God the Father responds when one sinner repents and comes to Him--whether they are coming to faith in God for the first time or they knew God once, strayed for a season and then returned.
"Running Back To You" is a great reminder that if you have never placed your faith in Jesus to forgive your sins and started a personal relationship with Him, you can. And if you walked with Him at one point in life and wandered, you can come home to Him. Either way, He will not reject you but rather welcome you with compassion, mercy, and joy.
I love the opening lines of this song, which remind us that God doesn't give up the chase. When we're far from Him and we need saving, He searches us for us when we're lost. Even after we are saved, when we're facing seasons of struggle, questions, distractions, and losing sight of the right path--things that make us feel in over our heads and try to hinder our relational connection with God--He loves, pursues, and helps us. And we can always respond by running back into His wide open arms.
Luke 15:32 (NLT): "'We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"
Lyrics
I was an orphan
Defined by mistakes
Thought I was forsaken
That You gave up the chase
I went to the reaches
To try and ease the ache
Turned my back on the One
Who kept calling my name
You kept calling my name
Didn't matter where I was at
You just kept calling me back
Back to the table
Back to my home
Back to my Father who never lost hope
For the first time in ages
I know what to do
With my arms wide open I'm running to back to You
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I'm running to back to You
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Now I have been rescued
My soul is remade
But even the ransomed
Can fall on their face
When I'm drowning in questions
When I've lost the path
Your love is the answer
You're calling me back
Back to the table
Back to my home
Back to my Father who never lets go
Whatever I'm facing
I know what to do
With my arms wide open I'm running to back to you
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I'm running to back to You
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
It doesn't matter all the times where I've been in over my head
I'm never too far gone where Your arms cannot pull me back again
I'm never been so lost where Your love could not fill my emptiness
I'm never too far gone where Your arms cannot pull me back again
Back to the table
Back to my home
Back to my Father who never lets go
Whatever I'm facing
I know what to do
With my arms wide open I'm running to back to you
Back to the table
Back to my home
Back to my Father who never lost hope
For the first time in ages
I know what to do
With my arms wide open I'm running to back to you
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I'm running to back to You
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I'm running to back to You
(Oh-oh-oh-oh) Oh-oh-oh-oh
I'm running back to You
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I'm running to back to You
This article was originally published on Ktsy.org.
Jasmin Patterson is a lifelong Christian music fan passionate about helping others connect with Christ. Serves in college ministry and loves to write for seekers and believers, helping them discover and live biblical Christianity.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1285 - Brandon Heath
The singer/songwriter shares the story behind his Christmas song
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!NRT LISTS
Christmas Music Preview
New holiday albums and singles you won't want to miss
NEW!NRT LISTS
Christmas Worship 2025
Five new Christmas worship songs you need this year
NEW!WAYBACK
Classic Christmas Vol. 3
A look at classic Christian Christmas originals to add to your playlists
NEW!WAYBACK
Classic Christmas Vol. 4
A look at classic Christian Christmas originals to add to your playlists
