“Running Back to You” by Seph Schlueter || Let’s Listen To #52

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/3PDnaKH4_i0?si=oL15m-zts3Q626mn

Today’s song is “Running Back To You” by Seph Schlueter. It was released on March 14, 2024 as a single off his album, “Counting My Blessings.” 

In an article with KTIS 98.5, we hear from Seph what this song means for him. He wanted this song to help people understand the “joy and freedom that comes from knowing the Gospel…” This was a reminder that simply, “no matter how far we’ve wanted… we have a God who welcomes us with open arms…” (quoted from this article: Seph Schlueter – “Running Back To You” – 98.5 KTIS)

This song nails the concept that we are never too far gone from Christ. No matter what we do, as long as we have a repentant spirit. We must accept that our old ways were wrong. The new way of life through Jesus is better. Then we are welcomed by God with open arms. There is nothing too bad, too big, or too…beastly (I tried with the alliteration) that God will not welcome you back into his arms. 

To affirm this, let me share with you some of my favorite lyrics from this song. The chorus is the best start, and hits on a very important Bible story. 

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 back to You

If this doesn’t sound familiar to you, this (at least to me) sounds like the story of the Prodigal Son. (see Luke 15:11-32). We can often act like the prodigal son. We want everything that’s due to us now. We waste it on a frivolous life. This brings us into the short-term. The son’s riches were gone. He was forced to work a dirty job. He even considered eating the slop the pigs eat. He thought about returning home. To face his dad after so many years. To own up to his mistakes. When he returned, he saw his dad (who, unknowing to him, was waiting for his son to return home). The dad saw his son and HE began running to his son. They embraced. They celebrated his return. He was welcomed back in like the son never left. It’s the same with us. We can become a Christian and stray away. We can never go to God before. Yet, at any time, when we know we need to, his arms are open for us to return. Even the song says this: 

Whatever I’m facing, I know what to do

With my arms wide open