The Angelic Gospel Singers - If You Can't Help Me Lyrics
Lyrics
Chorus:
If you can't help me
Please don't stop me
Move out of my way
Don't try to block me
I got a race to run
And I'm running by faith
At the finishing line
I'll see God's face
(Repeat)
I've been running for Jesus a long time
Running both day and night
I don't have time for idle talk
It may cause me to lose this race
(Chorus 2xs)
Lord give me time to run this race
Or to accept thy grace, I got a few
More mountains and hills to climb
He'll be waiting at the finishing line
(Chorus 3xs)
Said I been running for Jesus a long time
Running both night and day
I don't have time for idle talk
It might cause me to lose this race
(Chorus 3xs)
Video
The Angelic Gospel Singers - If You Can't Help Me (At the Finishing Line)
Meaning & Inspiration
The Angelic Gospel Singers’ profound anthem, "If You Can't Help Me," released on March 15, 1985, as part of their album *40 Years*, delivers a powerful and enduring message that resonates with anyone navigating the spiritual path. This song acts as a firm declaration of divine resolve, capturing the essence of unwavering faith in the face of life's many distractions and obstacles. It champions the individual's spiritual journey, emphasizing the personal commitment required to pursue a life dedicated to Christ.
The core meaning of "If You Can't Help Me" is a call for unhindered progress on one's journey of faith. The repeated plea, "If you can't help me, please don't stop me, move out of my way, don't try to block me," isn't an aggressive challenge, but rather a boundary-setting statement. It reflects a deep understanding that the spiritual race is personal and requires absolute focus, a concept mirrored in Hebrews 12:1-2, which encourages believers to "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." The song acknowledges that in this race, not all interactions are beneficial; some can become stumbling blocks or sources of distraction. The message underscores the importance of surrounding oneself with those who uplift and support the journey, or at the very least, do not impede it.
The lyrical narrative frames the Christian life as a "race to run," a biblical metaphor frequently used to describe perseverance in faith, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:24: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." This race is not run by human strength alone, but "by faith," a crucial distinction that aligns with 2 Corinthians 5:7, reminding us that "we walk by faith, not by sight." This steadfast commitment to faith, despite unseen challenges, is what propels the runner forward. The ultimate motivation for this rigorous journey is the promise of its culmination: "At the finishing line, I'll see God's face." This beautiful aspiration echoes Revelation 22:4, which speaks of those in God's presence, stating, "they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads," a glorious vision that fuels every step of the believer's path.
The song further reinforces this single-minded dedication by asserting, "I don't have time for idle talk, it may cause me to lose this race." This line serves as a potent reminder of the value of time and the dangers of unnecessary distractions. Ephesians 5:15-16 urges believers to "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Idle talk, gossip, or unproductive conversations can divert attention, drain spiritual energy, and ultimately hinder progress. The song's profound wisdom lies in recognizing that safeguarding one's focus is paramount in the spiritual struggle. The singer's declaration of having "been running for Jesus a long time" speaks to a lifetime of commitment, acknowledging the endurance required, much like Paul's testament in Philippians 3:13-14, where he presses on "toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Additionally, the plea, "Lord give me time to run this race or to accept thy grace, I got a few more mountains and hills to climb," beautifully encapsulates the reality of the Christian walk. It acknowledges that the journey is often fraught with difficulties, symbolized by "mountains and hills to climb," which represent trials, temptations, and personal struggles. Yet, there's an immediate pivot to divine reliance: "He'll be waiting at the finishing line." This profound trust in God’s presence and ultimate victory infuses the message with hope. It underscores that while the journey demands effort, it is God's grace that empowers the believer, as Ephesians 2:8-9 clarifies: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." The Angelic Gospel Singers’ unwavering declaration in "If You Can't Help Me" thus stands as an enduring testament to the power of committed faith, urging all to run their race with singular purpose, eyes fixed on the divine finish line.