Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Afraid? Of what?

I am reading the book Jesus Freaks by dc talk and I am finding it rather interesting. I thought it was a book about the band but as it turns out it is a book about men and women who laid down their life and/or security in the name of Christ. Heavy stuff, let me tell you! It can be depressing until you think that all these men and women are rejoicing with the Lord now.

Anyway, last night I came across the following poem which really struck a cord and I wanted to share it...

Afraid? Of What?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
        Afraid – of that?
        Afraid? Of What?
Afraid to see the Savior’s face
To hear His welcome, and to trace
The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
        Afraid – of that?
        Afraid? Of What?
A flash, a crash, a pierced heart;
Darkness, light, O Heaven’s art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
        Afraid – of that?
        Afraid? Of What?
To do by death what life could not –

Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
        Afraid – of that?
~ E.H. Hamilton ~

E.H. Hamilton was inspired to write this because of his friend Jack Vinson. When told he would be killed, and asked if he was afraid, Jack responded "Kill me, if you with. I will go straight to God."

This really speaks to me because I see my mom as a martyr for Christ. Her murderer wasn't human, it was Cancer but she died much in the same respect... facing her opponent head on and praising God the whole way. It would be so easy to shun God, blame Him, curse Him (all of which I have done myself after my mom passed) but she stuck it out. That isn't to say that she didn’t have her moments but she persevered and walked straight to God. I hope and pray I am half as strong.

2 comments:

kathi said...

I have two of this book, bought one for each of my boys a year ago. We've all read it, it's an awesome, thought provoking book that really makes you think about what has been done in His name. Have you read any of the Martyr series by Dekker? I'm still a huge fan of the old Frank Perritti book, This Present Darkness.

The Townleys said...

My favorite comment from a martyr happened when he was rejoicing in his cell prior to his execution. The guard came by and yelled at him to stop. He smiled and replied "What will you do? Kill me twice?!"