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Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-on-one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on ...
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Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-on-one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on ...
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Running on-running on empty
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind
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Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned into the road I'm on
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned into the road I'm on
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Running on-running on empty
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind
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Everyone I know, everywhere I go
People need some reason to believe
I don't know about anyone but me
If it takes all night, that'll be all right
If I can get you to smile before I leave
People need some reason to believe
I don't know about anyone but me
If it takes all night, that'll be all right
If I can get you to smile before I leave
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Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see them running too
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see them running too
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Running on-running on empty
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Running on-running blind
Running on-running into the sun
But I'm running behind
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Honey you really tempt me
You know the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around but I'm running behind
You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Running into the sun but I'm running behind
You know the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around but I'm running behind
You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Running into the sun but I'm running behind
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Running on Empty (Jackson Browne, 1977)
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I have heard this song many times on the radio, but this is honestly the first time I have read the lyrics. It's amazing how common this feeling is in people I talk to. There is a common chord ringing in my ear as I listen to the stories of people's lives- they aren't happy...they want a change...but they don't know what to do so they keep going down the same empty road with an empty gas tank...an empty heart...no direction...no hope....but moving on down the road. Why do we continue to live such empty lives? This very theme is why country music is so popular. It rings the same chords in the listeners....no hope, no job, no girl, no dog.....but I've got my beer.
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What a stupid race of people we are to continue to live this way when God has provided and promised a solution to our emptiness through faith in Jesus Christ. It seems we prefer the empty autonomy to the fulfilled dependence that God offers, and I think that is the core of the issue. WE want to be god in our lives and so emptiness is the result. We refuse to bow to the God who promises and provides our completeness. It seems we would rather be our own gods and be empty....how sad.
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3 comments:
I can relate to the song and not because I don't have God. I think it's the life stage of having teens and feeling like all I'm trying to do is help them navigate the murky waters of growing up. I thought I had figured out what direction to go with Seminary and such, but that's now out. It just makes me feel like I'm running along with no goal in sight. (And finishing well isn't a bad goal, but maybe not as tangible of a goal for me as feeling like I've actually done more in my life than be "mom.") I feel like I was built to do more, but I'm just not sure how to get there anymore.
Sometimes it's hard to bloom where you are planted.
"It seems we prefer the empty autonomy..."
Seems there's an assumption there, sir Michael; seems like you say if we live in dependence, life will be 100% fulfilled, 100% of the time. Seems like something I'd hear at the Summit in Houston on a Sunday. Or maybe I make the assumption. Hmmmm.
Anyway, of course I think you are correct in the black and white thought - because you are always spot on when it comes to things Jesus - but I'd bet Elijah had some country song moments as he sat by the brook for the time he was there.
As I think S.'s Mom says, even as we sit faithfully by the brook, it's still tough here for a lot of folks, be they Elijah or regular Joe's. And, Senator, I ain't no Elijah. :)
Both of you have made wonderful and insightful comments. When we hit a chord like this it resonates on several different levels. I, too, often feel I'm running on empty with no direction in mind. I don't think it's always reality even when it feels that way. And for sure I was not implying that dependence on God will fix everything, as you both know it doesn't at all! For sure my contrasts were very black and white, but so is the song lyrics....just a few thoughts that have gotten you thinking...for that I'm glad. And Schweers' Mom, don't look at "now" as if that is all there is for you. I languished for 18 years in that mindset wanting to serve God and feeling there was no way that would ever happen again...and what I found is that all those 18 years God was preparing me for what I am doing now. I couldn't have done this if I hadn't suffered through those years....he's preparing you for "the more" you long for. Enjoy this time of preparation, don't resent it.
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