By:  Rachel Louise

Traveling to glory
Through life, the couple cannot
Vision God into sight.
It’s been over fifty years
Since they said to one another,
“Till death do us part.”
They’re waiting for the day
Until they take their last breath
And see Him
And declare,
“Jesus Christ is LORD.”

Angels prostrate themselves and proclaim,
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty
Who was and who is and who is to come.”
The couple repeats what they say.  The lovers
Declare this to one another
Back and forth for decades, until
She enters into rest
In the middle of the night
Near to him.  
He asks, “What is it?” and she
Answers, “It’s time.”
“Time,” he affirms until he
Feels weakness overtake her body.
“Glory!”  She joyously cries, and
Beams, content with
Her wonderful Savior, her
Blessed Lord of all.

“Hands up!” the soldier shouts.
“Don’t shoot!” he cries.
“What will you do for your wife’s life?”
Tears, tears stream down her face.
“I, Sir, will take her place.”
“You?” he asks.
“Yes,” he says.
“Why would you give up your life?”
“She’s my wife; I’m one in Christ
With her, Sir, and I am called
To lay down myself, my life, my all,
To love her as Christ loves His Bride, His church.
He willingly gave His life for her.
Therefore I’ll die in my wife’s place.
Whatever the outcome, my wife is safe
Entrusted in God’s faithful care.”
The soldier lets down his gun and stares.

Judah’s fathers were foolish and proud.
They did not take into account
The law of God; it was ignored!
It was lost in the temple, and then restored.

As Saphan, the scribe, reads the book aloud
Every sentence, every word, and every sound
Pierces the core of who I am.
I am like a grain of sand
Tossed in a sea of woeful grief.
Waves of sorrow come out in tears.
I tare my clothing and cry, What sin!
I see the danger Judah is in!

Great is the wrath of the LORD that burns
Against us; my soul is greatly disturbed.
Walking in wicked, wavering ways
My nation cannot and will not obey.
Judah follows the footsteps of her fathers.
I plea for mercy; only God can alter
Hearts to do as He commands.
Behold, the total depravity of man!

My conversion brought drastic change;
Thoughts of me were never the same.
I thought I was unshakably strong,
Yet I proved to be weak; I was wrong.

I thought I knew God, and He knew me,
But I desired all the glory.  
I said to everyone, “Look at me!”
“Look at my splendor and majesty!”

Self-centered, sensual sins
Never ceased to reign within.
I kept my monster-self caged in
Hypocritical bars of fake religion.

I hated God and I hated His law.
My whole life showed that all
I did was sin.  I did not know Him,
And He knew not me- I was dead.

But at an appointed moment in time,
God saved this heart of mine.
In light of His purity, I saw my sin,
And repentance developed deep within.

God graciously opened my eyes to see
Jesus’ death was meant for me.
He died condemned in my place
So I would be saved by grace through faith.

Undeserving of God’s wonderful gift,
I cannot help but want to live
In a way that seeks to glorify Christ,
My Beloved Savior, my All, my Life!