The Challenge

The Challenge

Present your case, bring forth your suit,

The Sovereign Lord decrees.

Where are your gods whom you have loved

And served to nth degree.

They cannot speak, they cannot hear

And yet you bow the knee.

You offer what you do not have

And still you are not free.

What purpose does this ritual

Serve – and to what end?

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

Th’Omnipotent is friend.

While there is none like Him above,

Nor is there one below,

He who in Christ is well received

His name the Lord does know.

The King of kings took on the form

Of humankind on earth,

He through the Holy Spirit came

By Mary’s virgin birth.

He lived a life of poverty

And died a crim’nal’s death,

But rose again – was lifted up –

To distribute His wealth.

“What does He give, this Christ of yours?

What do I stand to gain?”

Why nothing – save your precious soul -

Erasure of sin’s stain.

What is more valuable than gold

Or silver, land, or home?

What if you gain all of the earth,

But have a heart of stone?

The riches that our God bestows

On those who are His own,

Surpass all that we think we know

And all we have not known.

So, think on this, my fickle friend

Before you close your eyes:

Your life is fragile – life is short –

And time’s not on your side.

What do you stand to lose, but pride

And little else beside.

Eternal life is what you gain -

An ocean deep and wide.

You have a choice, so make it wise

You cannot fool the one

To whom all hearts are open books,

All secrets are undone.

© Johann Vanderbijl 2014