Lyrics
Verse 1
I wanna go the distance
Life is like a race, a marathon
Can't afford to miss it
I gotta make the most with this time I've got
Pre-Chorus
I don't wanna be lukewarm
So light a fire in my soul
'Til I run the streets of gold
Chorus
I wanna get to heaven out of breath
Don't wanna waste no time when I cross the finish line
Oh Lord, I wanna hear You say
"Well done, my child and my friend"
When I get to heaven out of breath
Verse 2
A million miles a minute
Life is like a vapor and we're short on time
With every breath I'm given
I'll shout it from the mountaintops, I'll burn so bright
Pre-Chorus
I don't wanna be lukewarm
So light a fire in my soul
'Til I run the streets of gold
Chorus
I wanna get to heaven out of breath
Don't wanna waste no time when I cross the finish line
Oh Lord, I wanna hear You say
"Well done, my child and my friend"
When I get to heaven out of breath
Bridge
Out of breath
Out of breath
Heaven out of breath
Oh, out of breath
Like a steam-rolling train, I'll be on my way
On my way until the wheels fall off
'Til I see Your face, walk through heaven's gates
I will run, I will run, I will
Chorus
I wanna get to heaven out of breath
Don't wanna waste no time when I cross the finish line
Oh Lord, I wanna hear You say
"Well done, my child and my friend"
When I get to heaven out of breath
Outro
Out of breath
Out of breath
Heaven out of breath
Well done, my child and my friend
When I get to heaven out of breath
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Out of Breath” uses the language of an endurance race to describe a life given wholly to God. The verses stress the brevity of life, while the pre-chorus rejects lukewarm faith in favor of spiritual zeal. The chorus brings these ideas together through the image of crossing a heavenly finish line after using every available breath.
The desire to hear “Well done” recalls Jesus' description of a faithful servant, and the song’s race imagery echoes the New Testament’s calls to persevere. Its streets of gold and heaven’s gates place the daily struggle in the light of eternity. The repeated phrase “out of breath” therefore suggests not exhaustion without hope, but a determined life that wastes no opportunity to serve Christ faithfully.
Related Scripture
- Hebrews 12:1 Believers are called to run with endurance the race set before them.
- Matthew 25:21 The faithful servant is commended with the words, “Well done.”
- James 4:14 Human life is compared to a vapor that quickly vanishes.