You might be familiar with songs like “Church (Take Me Back)” and “Thank God for Sunday Morning” from Cochren & Co. But his latest chart-topping song delivers summer energy and a reminder that we’re always welcome home in our Father’s house. Join us as we discover what Michael Cochren says about “Running Home,” plus more on the prodigal son story, then finally hear the song and explore the lyrics!
MICHAEL COCHREN ON "RUNNING HOME"
While the song was co-written by Matthew West and Jeff Pardo, the song resonates strongly with the Cochren and Co. frontman. Here’s what Michael Cochren had to say:
We’ve all heard the saying there’s no place like home. When I think of what “home” means, I think of comfort, rest, safety, and love. When we go off looking for these things in the broken world, we never find it. Ultimately, we only find what we need when we return to our loving God. This song is an anthem declaring, “I’m done running away, I’m running home!”
RUN HOME LIKE THE PRODIGAL
The song reminds us of the familiar parable told by Jesus in Luke 15:11-31. The Savior tells of a wealthy son who left home with his inheritance, squandered it in sinful living, then found himself residing in mud pits with pigs as his neighbors. When he comes to his senses, he decides to return home and request to become a hired hand for his father. But what he thought would be a shameful reunion had quite the unexpected result.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Instead of turning his child away, ashamed of his foolishness, the father in this parable accepts his son home with compassion, gladness and celebration. When we realize that’s how our heavenly Father reacts when one of his wayward children returns to Him, we know that we don’t have to walk back in shame. We can run full speed with joy as the Lord sprints to meet us.
LISTEN TO "RUNNING HOME"
LYRICS
Spent a long time running down a dead end road
Lookin for that something that could fill my soul
Never found what I was searching for
Spent a long time running from a messed up past
But you can’t go forward when you’re lookin back
But I ain’t looking back anymore
He called my name
And he stole my shame
Everything changed when I came running home
Out of the dark, into His arms
No more running away, I’m running home
No more running in circles, trying to be good enough
I’m far from perfect but I found perfect love
In the arms that won’t let go
Got a heart on fire, got a wind at my back
Singing hallelujah, I am free at last
Every day I’m running home
He called my name
And he stole my shame
Everything changed when I came running home
Out of the dark, into His arms
No more running away, I’m running home
Gonna run this race ’til my final step
Gonna sing this song ’til my final breath
And let the weight of this world go
Gonna be no tears, gonna be no pain
And when I see that smile on my Savior’s face
I won’t be walking, I’ll be running home
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you crank up the volume when this song comes on, too? Does the song and the prodigal story encourage you? Tell us what you think!
