Life

 

 

Life is a journey

Right here on earth,

It concludes at death

But begins at birth.

 

For some it’s long

For others it’s short

And when it’s real rough

Some even abort.

 

Baby to toddler

Primary to teen

Adolescence and adult

Different acts and scenes.

  

Jobs and careers

Familial responsibilities

Occasional pleasures

But mostly duties

 

Mostly humdrum

Of rituals and routines

The occasional surprise

Disappointments between

 

 Very tough at times

Sometimes smooth

Both young and old

Trying to find a groove

 

Death and dying

Not easy at all,

 Not much we can do

The grim reaper calls.

 

C’est la vie

As the French would say,

That is life

Each and every day.

 

 

From the womb

To the tomb

But that’s not all

So stay tuned.

 

Life to death

From death to life,

Jesus is coming

To end all strife.

 

The dead shall rise

The living too,

When Jesus comes

For me and you.

 

Christ is ours

If we’re born again,

And eternal life

When he shall reign.

 

 

Life here and now

And life hereafter,

That’s the promise

Of the Master.

 

Why die

When you can live?

Come to Jesus

And life he will give.

 

Stewart Russell (c) July 2019

 

 

No, You Don’t

 

 

You don’t know me

Though you think you do

And you can argue all day

How long I’ve been around you.

 

You don’t see me

Though you think you do

For my life is hid with Christ in God

And yours should be too.

 

You don’t understand me

Though you think you do

And I am aware in the same way

I don’t understand you.

 

Here is a phenomenon

We should not less count:

The fact we have been washed

In the blood of the fount.

 

 

The blood of Jesus

When he was on the cross

That flowed from his broken body

For all the lost.

 

As they knew him not

You don’t know me

For that by which you measure

Is no longer my lot.

 

I have been changed

Yes, I have been born again

And I have a new name in heaven

And a new refrain.

 

I am a kingdom child

Of the Most-High God

And no longer whom you know:

That nefarious fraud.

 

It may not be obvious

And I’m speaking of my change

But believe me, even my thinking

Has been rearranged.

 

Have a chat with those

Who are closest to me

And they will tell you I’ve changed,

Most sincerely.

 

I occasionally lapse

And like a toddler I fall

But I will not wallow in sin’s muck

No, not me at all.

 

So, you think you know me

But that is in the past,

That wandering sheep you know

Did come home at last.

 

 

Don’t be a prodigal at home

And in envy burn

Because the prodigal that roamed

Has finally returned.

 

Get to know me instead

And see what God has done,

And what the Spirit is daily doing

For me in the kingdom.

 

You don’t know me

Though you think you do

And what I am saying about you

Can be said about me too.

 

Stewart Russell © April 8, 2024