But A Step Away

 

 

East and West are but a step away

So too are North and South,

Somewhat like those two on your face

Meaning your nose and mouth.

 

The easiest change that one can make

Requires one simple action,

Just an about turn is all it would take

To initially change one’s direction.

 

Yes, but a step away to vital change

As in going from death to life,

Somewhat like resolving a pending conflict

By mitigating its strife.

 

I mean like adding water to the fire

And not fighting fire with fire,

A resolute decision just to turn away

To make that situation less dire.

 

But a step between right and wrong

Just a change in one’s direction,

The initial resoluteness in a sinner’s life

In accepting the offer of salvation.

But a step away is that vital change

That the Holy Spirit empowers,

Life and death are indeed two opposites

But life can be yours this hour.

 

A change in direction is but a single step

But one must first turn around,

Somewhat like bus stops on opposite sides

That indicate into or out of town.

 

The “come unto me” that Jesus says

Suggests one is walking away

And any direction other than towards Christ

Means that one has gone astray.

 

But a step away betwixt life and death

A step between heaven and hell,

The moment that Eve had eaten of the fruit

Is the same moment she fell.

 

One might say she could have spat it out

But she fell in love with its taste,

And no doubt Adam was completely taken

By the delightful look on her face.

One step and they were out of Eden

And so too the human race

But one colossal step made by Jesus Christ

Made us beneficiaries of God’s grace.

 

The grace of God that brought salvation

On Calvary, Christ paid our debt,

But a step away is the life everlasting

To all who would take that step.

 

Stewart Russell © November 17, 2020