Journey

JOURNEY

As my soul was treading earthen paths

awaiting streets of gold -

And my anxious heart searched on

for lights of home,

My Lord and I came to a dark

and narrow, winding road -

While I held back,

my Lord walked on alone.

I knew that I should follow Him

and stay close to His side –

for He’d promised to protect me,

‘neath His wings He’d let me hide.

Sweet memories of His goodness

rushed to calm my strain of doubts

But yet, the threat of fear crept in:

“What if there’s no way out?

Your Lord will never find you ,

now that you’re so far behind –

And look! The stormclouds overhead -

They’ll soon be passing by!”

Indeed, the shadows moved in fast,

they left no time for waiting –

Should I go now to follow Him?

Or, would it be too late?

I knew that I should follow Him,

If not, where would I go?

Still, the longer that I tarried there,

the more my heart grew cold…

Just when it seemed my faith was gone,

I fell upon my knees –

I could not pray without my Lord!

Oh, for the strength to leave!

Then, as I wept, my hand fell down

to something at my feet –

My Lord had left a lantern!

Oh, a light that I could see!

I stood up then on stronger legs

and grasped the faith I’d found,

I cast a hopeful gaze toward

the path my Lord went down

My light outstretched, I saw His steps –

rejoicing for His lead,

So, step-by-step I trudged ahead

and longed for when we’d meet

Just when I felt my step was sure,

my gaze went from the light –

I did not see the stone

my foe had placed beneath my sight –

My foot hit hard, my legs gave way,

I fell upon the ground –

In my dismay, the lamp had swayed,

and darkness closed around

I heard the laughter of my foe,

He thought the victory claimed –

But then, my heart began to race –

Did Someone call my name?

Then, ten thousand white-robed angels

burst throughout the stormy night

Led by a valiant Warrior –

demons scattered in their fright

As if a cloud had kissed the Earth,

the Warrior’s horse came down

His Rider then descended

as I bowed before His crown

Then, for the first, I heard the voice

of my Beloved Savior –

“My child, rise with lessons learned

and follow closely, ever –

Until the day you’ll fly with me

where foes can never enter.

Arise in faith, my child,

follow Me into the winter!”

And then, as quickly as He’d come,

my Lord left, pressing onward –

The darkness seemed to hide His form,

my fears grew ever stronger

The demons peeked from hiding,

to distract my soul from praying –

But, as I pondered what to do,

a still, small voice was saying,

“Come, my child, I have provided

sure steps for your feet.

There’s much this way for you to learn,

all lessons I will teach.

In this dark path you’ll surely find

Myself illumined best –

Be confident, and trust in Me,

I’ll guide your every step.”

A peace like I had never known

reclaimed my battered heart

Filled with strength, I rose to take

a step toward the dark

As I stood, my outstretched hand

brushed something at my feet –

My Lord had left a lantern!

Now His steps I’d surely see…!