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Death

Death comes unexpected like a thief,

Stealing the time we have to think or know,

Though we know it is a thing inevitable,

Still it catches us, so often, unawares.

How easy to postpone the witness,

To wait for an easier, more appropriate time,

How easy to be the tiller, sower, or waterer,

But draw back from the harvester’s scythe.

Oh, for the boldness to swing that gleaming blade,

To speak out the truth of heaven or hell,

To step beyond sharing God’s love and care,

And tell the urgent decision that must be made.

No condemnation, Lord, You say,

And yet, I wonder, "Did I fail You?"

Were You somehow, able, to make that final connection,

To a lonely, aching, hurting soul?

You say it is Your will that none should perish,

Can You, do You, reveal Yourself in those final moments?

Does the one who longed, but doubted, like Thomas,

Get the chance to ‘feel Your wounds’?

You are not looking for a law to keep us out,

But for a way to draw us in,

You know our human frailties,

Our fears and doubts.

Surely, if we have compassion for the lost,

It can only come from You, from Your heart.

You alone are the source of such love,

Ours is a trickle; Yours is the river it flows from.

This was Your child, Your love, Your desire,

You would not easily let her slip through Your fingers.

Lord, I believe, somehow You reached her,

Showed her Your face, and Your reality.

Lord, so many are needing You, starving for Your love,

Lord, show me how to let them know You are there,

Your love is theirs for the asking, theirs for the taking,

Give me the words to let them know this truth.

Lord. I cannot reach the world, it is too big,

Let me reach my world, those whom I meet.

Teach me to share You and the love You hold for them,

Help me to help the hurting, find Your safety.

Forgive me, Lord, the times I fail,

Let not those failures cause another’s damnation;

Raise up another to pick up the scythe and continue,

And teach me to stand, and try again.

For You alone are our Life Eternal,

You alone are the Truth and way,

To You alone must we bow allegiance,

Our Saviour, Lord and King.

© 26/9/2003