Lyrics
Verse 1
Before I was born into history and time
You planned creation with me in mind
You formed my heart, You solved my face
I was made in Your image, I'm no mistake.
Verse 2
You chose my family, the place of my birth
You knew all about me, You thought I had worth
I was called out to serve, Your kingdom work
And all of my days are written down in Your book.
Chorus
I'm running the race down to the last minute
Mercy and grace are keeping me in it
There's a fire in my soul, I'm fully committed
I'm running the race and I'm gonna finish.
Verse 3
I've fallen down in this race of life
But You came to my rescue time after time
You told me You loved me, You weren't counting my sin
In You I found courage to rise up again.
Verse 4
I know You are for me, You want me to win
I give You my soul till the very end
Out there before me I see the prize
Jesus is standing at the finish line.
Chorus (Repeat)
Outro
I'm running the race and I'm gonna finish (Repeat)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The song frames a believer's life as a race sustained by God's prior love. The opening verses trace worth back to divine intention: being formed, known, and written in a book before birth. That imagery echoes Psalm 139, where God's knowledge of a person precedes their existence.
The chorus shifts from origin to endurance. Running to the last minute is not self-powered; mercy and grace keep the runner in motion. The second verse admits failure, but rescue repeats, and love does not tally sin. That pattern mirrors the gospel's repeated forgiveness rather than a single moment.
The final lines place Jesus at the finish line, not merely as a spectator but as the prize and destination. The race is not about winning by effort but about persevering under a gaze that already wills the runner to win. The song's certainty of finishing rests on God's faithfulness, not human resolve.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 139:13-16 Describes being formed and known by God before birth, directly echoed in the song's opening verses about being planned and written in God's book.
- Hebrews 12:1-2 Describes running the race of faith while fixing eyes on Jesus, echoed in the song's central image of running toward Jesus at the finish line.