I RUN
I am so excited to be able to release this new song as part of my new album, “Keep on Burning”. The idea of describing our Christian life as the running of a race really grabs me. Not that I have run many races since my attempts to compete in the sprints back in school sports carnival days – but I do value health and fitness – in BOTH a physical and spiritual sense. Let’s compare our spiritual lives to a long-distance race for a moment. We can start well and then as we encounter some hills or rocky parts, lose our puff. We can get a bit lost; lose sight of the goal. We can become distant from the One we are running for (Jesus), the One who invited us to run the race or follow Him in the first place.
Remember the school war cries that helped to pump up each team for competition and promote team spirit? These words from Hebrews 12 get me pumped: “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.” I can imagine the writer passionately and loudly urging us all on! 😊 Urging us on to enjoy the race, free of the burden of sin, with Jesus as our focus. Paul describes his race in Philippians 3:13b-14, “the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.” (Good New Bible)
These verses inspired the writing of the chorus: “I run, in this amazing race, my eyes on Your amazing face. My Lord, I run for You”.
I was also inspired as I imagined Jesus’ face – so welcoming and loving; a face full of wisdom yet warm and encouraging. I imagined Him smiling and beckoning me to keep on going up a difficult hill. I also imagined His eyes showing care and understanding as he helped me through a valley; showing wisdom, concern and the most genuine love. I still imagine His face in this way, even though I can’t physically see Him. Do you imagine what Jesus’ face looks like – as He looks into yours?
Verse 1 begins, “you clear the path before me, keep my feet from slipping. In the desert heat, you’re the shade I need.” There are many passages in the Psalms and in Isaiah that have been a comfort to me in dry times. One I would highlight is Psalm 18 (if you need strength, this is one to read!). One day, the words of verse 36 leapt out and became a new gem for my soul to ponder and marvel in. “You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.” Have you ever sprained your ankle? From experience, I can say that it’s easy to do on rocky or uneven ground especially when tired. I’m sure that most of us go through times where the path of life gets so bumpy that we grow weary and disillusioned. I love that David writes about the heart of God here to provide at just the right time, the kind of path where our ankles don’t give way. There will be challenging times where we need to lean on him more, but He will also give us relief when we need it. We see in the Psalms how David went through many battles – he cried out to God for relief and God came through. Isn’t that awesome!
“Forever you’ll sustain me, through the hills and valleys. You are everything,” is my way of saying that Jesus is faithful to lead us through all terrains – even the darkest of valleys (Psalm 23:4) and that I owe Him my very life. I mention the hills along with the valleys, because Jesus leads us to the mountaintop experiences too! (Psalm 18:33 “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”)
Verse 2 was inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”” This is such a precious promise to me; one that helped me through some dark times.
I believe it can make a huge difference in our lives to know that God’s grace is sufficient for every need – especially when we come face to face with our weaknesses and failures. His grace is what helps us to bounce back from hardship. His grace makes it possible to move forward and enjoy the race again. What can put a spring in our step like His amazing grace? “And though the road’s not easy, your grace will always reach me, even in my weakness, you are my peace. I’m stepping out believing, living in your victory, I have all I need.”
Now, we know that all serious runners need to train. The bridge is a prayer asking Jesus to teach and train us His way and committing to do it all for His glory, not our own. “Lead me through the training. Put me through my paces. This heart will beat for Your glory, for Your glory.”
It’s also a prayer of realisation – that the further along the race we get, the more we know about what we really need – a firm trust in our God, His word and His incomparable love. “The more I run I know this: I need Your word and promise. This heart will trust in Your great love, in Your great love.”
I hope the song encourages you in your faith journey. May you be able to embrace His training and grow from strength to strength. May you find your rhythm, knowing Jesus as your joy and prize. And may you be able to bounce back from every trial, fitter and stronger as the years go by and until you see Him in glory!
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
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