Lyrics
Verse 1
I chased that pot of gold like a prodigal
And turned my back on home
But home never turned his back on me
I heard the siren call and squandered all
My treasure on fool’s gold
There’s a black hole inside of this black sheep
But You never turned Your back on me
Chorus
God You race to the runaway, the runaway, the runaway
God You race to the runaway heart
Oh Your grace takes my breath away, my breath away, my breath away
God You race to the runaway heart
My runaway, runaway heart
Verse 2
Although I’m prone to wander, prone to failure
You are prone to love
Prone to giving me a second chance
Yeah You are Heaven bent and unrelenting
You’re not giving up
You’ll never leave me in the wilderness
You’ll never stop no matter what it costs
Chorus
God You race to the runaway, the runaway, the runaway
God You race to the runaway heart
Oh Your grace takes my breath away, my breath away, my breath away
God You race to the runaway heart
My runaway, runaway heart
My runaway, runaway heart
Bridge (x2)
You’d risk the 99 ten thousand times
To find me in the dark
You left Your throne behind to save my life
That’s just how good You are
Outro
It’s just how good You are
To my runaway, runaway heart
My runaway, runaway
My runaway, runaway heart
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Runaway Heart” portrays divine grace through the picture of a wanderer who has traded home for false treasure. The prodigal language, the black sheep image, and the repeated confession of failure establish a person unable to rescue himself. Against that condition, God is presented as the one who races toward the runaway rather than turning away. The contrast gives the chorus its central meaning: mercy takes the initiative.
The reference to risking the ninety-nine clearly recalls Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, while the return from squandered treasure also echoes the lost son. Those images support a portrait of God as persistent in seeking the lost and generous in offering another chance. The wilderness lines add assurance that abandonment is not the final word. Throughout the song, praise rises from grace received rather than merit earned, making God’s goodness—not the wanderer’s resolve—the basis of hope.
Related Scripture
- Luke 15:20 The father runs to meet his returning son while he is still far away.
- Luke 15:4-7 Jesus describes a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to seek one lost sheep.
- Ephesians 2:8 Salvation is described as a gift of grace received through faith.