Cody Carnes – Run to the Father

Last week, I gave a scathing review to Cody Carnes’ The Cross Has the Final Word.  This husband of Kari Jobe recently came out with Run To The Father, first appearing on the compilation album Way Maker.  He also released EP’s The Lighter Side and All He Says I Am in 2009 and 2014, respectively. He released album The Darker the Night The Brighter the Morning in 2017.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

It contains a summarized Gospel message, that Carnes was once in darkness with God knowing his wicked heart.  God’s great, unfathomable love caused Him to send Jesus to pay the penalty for his lawbreaking.  When Carnes accepts this and runs to the Father, prompted by the Holy Spirit who lives in him, he receives a heart transplant, living for God instead of himself.  The burden of sin he once carried is gone.  This was orchestrated by God before Carnes was created.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All of it agrees with the Bible.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I’ve carried a burden for too long on my own
I wasn’t created to bear it alone

Scripture calls for believers to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

I hear Your invitation to let it all go
I see it now, I’m laying it down
And I know that I need You

The invitation came personally from Jesus, who calls us to cast our burdens on Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

[Chorus]

I run to the Father, I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding, no reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon, my soul needs a friend
So I’ll run to the Father again and again and again and again

Carnes recognizes that his heart is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and requires the good doctor, Jesus, to mend it (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31).  Carnes can run to the Father through Jesus, our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 9:15).

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

A call to Casper the friendly ghost.

[Verse 2]

You saw my condition, had a plan from the start

God judges matters of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Kings 8:39, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:1, Proverbs 16:2, Jeremiah 17:10, and Luke 16:15).

Your Son for redemption, the price for my heart

Jesus paid the penalty for Carnes’ lawbreaking (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

And I don’t have a context for that kind of love
I don’t understand, I can’t comprehend

To what can we compare a perfect, holy God who becomes a man and pays a sin-debt for people who don’t deserve it (Romans 5:6-8)?  Carnes is right.  There’s no context for that kind of incomprehensible love.

All I know is I need You

Carnes recognizes his need for a Savior.

[Bridge]

My heart has been in Your sights
Long before my first breath

References the theological concept of predestination (Proverbs 16:4, Matthew 22:14, John 6:44, John 15:16, Acts 13:48, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9:19-33, Galatians 1:15, Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 1:2, and Revelation 13:8).

Running into Your arms
Is running to life from death

This is the migration from slavery to sin to life with Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

And I feel this rush deep in my chest
Your mercy is calling out
Just as I am You pull me in
And I know I need You now

This is probably the Holy Spirit who lives in Carnes (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Running to the Father will remove them from their burdens, placing them on Jesus. In much the same way as Carnes received an invitation to “lay it down”, this song acts as a message to unbelievers to “come and see” (Psalm 34:8). Carnes’ language is easy to comprehend and contextualizes God as the object of His affection.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God with a basic Gospel message.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Cody Carnes’ Run to the Father is a great song.  Its basic Gospel message, intermixed with predestination and bearing each others’ burdens is easy for all to understand and brings glory to God.

Worship leaders should consider adding this one to their worship set, depending on their culture and its response to hymn-like songs.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Run to the Father (listen to the song)

Artist: Cody Carnes

Album: Run to the Father

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2020

Duration: 5:08

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2019 Writers Roof Publishing (BMI) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), I Am A Pilgrim Songs (BMI) Be Essential Songs (BMI) Songs From Richmond Park (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

11/02/2021 – Updated Intro to include an additional EP and changed the language slightly.

03/23/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.