Friday, January 26, 2007

Obedience

My Child, I love thee—Be!

But, Lord! I’m just a man.
I’m weak and frail, and often fall.
I cannot change the way I am,
It matters not how hard I try.
My Lord, I love Thee,
But I cannot be.

My Child, did I not say
That I would give thee strength
And pick thee up from every fall?
I ask thee not to do it on thy own,
But as thou dost abide in Me, and I in thee.
My Child, I love thee—
Be like Me.

My Lord, I love Thee,
And if Thou wilt live in me
And give me strength;
Then, Lord I’ll gladly be like Thee,
Instead of staying as I am.



My Child, I love thee—Go!

But, Lord, it is so safe and pleasant here,
And full of grief and danger there.
I do not want to leave my home to go so far away.
And who would go with me, I pray?
I cannot go alone.
My Lord, I love Thee,
But I cannot go.

My Child, did I not say,
That I will be with thee Wher’ere thou art
And keep thee safe in Me?
I ask thee not to go alone,
For I Myself will go with thee.
My Child, I love thee—
Go, for Me!

My Lord, I love Thee,
And if Thou wilt go with me
To comfort, guide, and keep;
Then I will gladly go with Thee,
Not stay here by myself.



My Child, I love thee—Speak!

But Lord, I cannot speak!
I don’t know what to say.
And they will laugh at me
And call me names.
I cannot bear the thought of that.
My Lord, I love Thee,
But can I not be silent,
And tell by deeds?

My Child, did I not promise
That I would be with thee
And give thee what to say?
And did I not endure much shame for thee?
I ask thee not to speak thy own
But I will speak through thee.
My Child, I love thee—
Speak of Me.

My Lord, forgive me!
Thou didst suffer much for me—and them.
And can I not tell them of Thee?
If Thou wilt speak Thy Words through me,
Then I will gladly be a mouth for Thee,
Rather than speak my own, or silent be.



My Child, I love thee—Do!

But Lord, that is so hard and takes much time
And I am busy too, you see.
Are there not others who could get it done?
I am already doing much for Thee.
My Lord, I love Thee,
But I cannot do.

My Child, I’ve promised thee to be with thee
And give thee strength to do.
Who gave thee time, and skill to work?
Is it not I?
And if there are others serving Me,
What is that to thee? Obey thou Me!
My Child, I love thee—
Do My will.

My Lord, I am so weak and vile!
How could I forget so soon
What You have done for me, and given me?
My Lord, I love Thee,
And as Thou dost give me strength and length of days,
I will do all for Thee,
And not work for myself alone.



My Child, I love thee—Do not be!

I love Thee, Lord and know Thy pledge
To be with me, protect and guide me.
But right now the way is dark—
I cannot see the light—I do not know the way ahead.
I want to trust Thee, Lord,
But I can’t help but be afraid.

My Child, I know that it is hard to trust,
But you must choose—if you would onward go.
But do not fear—I am the way! I am the Light!
And I will always be with you.
My Child, I love thee—
Do not be afraid.

My Lord, I choose to trust
And put myself within Your care.
If You are with me, I will not fear.



My Child, I love thee—Stay!

Dear Lord, I trust You, but I do not understand.
The door is open, the time is right, the need so great!
I am willing to go and die for Thee—
May I not go?

My Child, I know your heart for Me,
That you would fight most valiantly.
But I have other work for you, right here.
And others who will serve Me there.
My Child, I love thee—
Stay right here.

Ah, Lord, ‘tis hard to sit and watch from here,
When my heart burns so much to go!
Especially with so many years
Wasted by not heeding You.
But I have learned that You know best,
So if You need me here right now,
I will not pine, but gladly serve.




My Child, I love thee—Hold thy peace!

But, I…



Lord, why…


My Lord, I love Thee.
I will keep silent.



My Child, I love thee—Thou shalt not!

My Lord, I love Thee.
I will not.



My Child, I love thee—Come!
Thou hast been faithful—
Welcome Home!