"Let us go forth therefore unto HIM without the camp, bearing HIS reproach."
Hebrews 13:13
The Young Christian
I cannot give it up,
The little world I know-
The innocent delights of youth,
The things I cherish so!
"Tis true I love my Lord,
And long to do HIS will;
But O, I may enjoy the world
And be a Christian still!
I love the hour of prayer,
I love the hymns of praise,
I love the blessed Word which tells
Of God's redeeming grace.
But- I am human still!
And while I dwell on earth,
God surely will not grudge the hours
I spend in harmless mirth!
These things belong to youth,
And are its natural right,
My dress, my pastimes and my friends,
The merry and the bright.
My Father's heart is kind!
He will not count it ill
That my small corner of the world
Should please and hold me still.
And yet -"outside the camp"-
'Twas there my Saviour died!
It was the world that cast Him forth
And saw Him crucified.
Can I take part with those
Who nailed Him to the tree?
And where His Name is never praised,
Is there the place for me?
Nay, world! I turn away,
Though thou seem fair and good;
that friendly outstretched hand of thine
Is stained with Jesus blood.
If in thy least device
I stoop to take a part,
All unaware, thine influence steals
God's presence from my heart.
I miss my Saviour's smile,
When'er I walk thy ways;
Thy laughter drowns the Spirit's voice,
And chokes the springs of praise.
When'er I turn aside
To join thee for an hour,
The face of Christ grows blurred and dim,
And prayer has lost its power!
Farewell-Henceforth my place
Is with the Lamb Who died.
My Sovereign! While I have Thy love,
What can I want beside?
Thyself, blest Lord, art now
My free and loving choice,
In Whom, though now I see Thee not,
Believing, I rejoice.
Shame on me that I sought
Another joy than this,
Or dreamed a heart at rest with Thee
Could crave for earthly bliss!
These vain and worthless things,
I put them all aside:
His goodness fills my longing soul,
And I am satisfied.
Lord Jesus! let me dwell
"Outside the camp" with Thee!
Since Thou are there, then there alone
Is peace and rest for me.
Thy dear reproach to bear
I'll count my highest gain,
Till Thou return, Rejected One,
To take Thy power and reign!
Author Unknown
I found this little poem on an old yellowed paper as I was cleaning up the office for company.
I remember a brother quoting part of it at a conference years back and was stirred by it then. It is a struggle to be in this world but not of it. Our finite minds get so carried away by the "deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this life" it is a daily struggle. We have been enjoying recently that the help for this is to be full of Christ and His Word and then there is neither room nor desire it if Christ is all. It can even be the little things that get our minds so carried away. As a busy mom the thought of company sends my mind into a frenzy of planning and worrying about a hundred details ( don't let this keep you away friends and family we do enjoy you!!)
But I was reminded of the verses in the story where the Lord visited the 3 siblings of Bethany. "Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came unto HIM and said , Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus ...said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part that shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42 I think I am often "cumbered about much serving" in the hospitality area. It is a much calmer state of affairs to be "sitting at HIS feet" in dependence on HIM for the direction of my time and efforts. Just some thoughts along the way that have been turning in my mind of late.
Hebrews 13:13
The Young Christian
I cannot give it up,
The little world I know-
The innocent delights of youth,
The things I cherish so!
"Tis true I love my Lord,
And long to do HIS will;
But O, I may enjoy the world
And be a Christian still!
I love the hour of prayer,
I love the hymns of praise,
I love the blessed Word which tells
Of God's redeeming grace.
But- I am human still!
And while I dwell on earth,
God surely will not grudge the hours
I spend in harmless mirth!
These things belong to youth,
And are its natural right,
My dress, my pastimes and my friends,
The merry and the bright.
My Father's heart is kind!
He will not count it ill
That my small corner of the world
Should please and hold me still.
And yet -"outside the camp"-
'Twas there my Saviour died!
It was the world that cast Him forth
And saw Him crucified.
Can I take part with those
Who nailed Him to the tree?
And where His Name is never praised,
Is there the place for me?
Nay, world! I turn away,
Though thou seem fair and good;
that friendly outstretched hand of thine
Is stained with Jesus blood.
If in thy least device
I stoop to take a part,
All unaware, thine influence steals
God's presence from my heart.
I miss my Saviour's smile,
When'er I walk thy ways;
Thy laughter drowns the Spirit's voice,
And chokes the springs of praise.
When'er I turn aside
To join thee for an hour,
The face of Christ grows blurred and dim,
And prayer has lost its power!
Farewell-Henceforth my place
Is with the Lamb Who died.
My Sovereign! While I have Thy love,
What can I want beside?
Thyself, blest Lord, art now
My free and loving choice,
In Whom, though now I see Thee not,
Believing, I rejoice.
Shame on me that I sought
Another joy than this,
Or dreamed a heart at rest with Thee
Could crave for earthly bliss!
These vain and worthless things,
I put them all aside:
His goodness fills my longing soul,
And I am satisfied.
Lord Jesus! let me dwell
"Outside the camp" with Thee!
Since Thou are there, then there alone
Is peace and rest for me.
Thy dear reproach to bear
I'll count my highest gain,
Till Thou return, Rejected One,
To take Thy power and reign!
Author Unknown
I found this little poem on an old yellowed paper as I was cleaning up the office for company.
I remember a brother quoting part of it at a conference years back and was stirred by it then. It is a struggle to be in this world but not of it. Our finite minds get so carried away by the "deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this life" it is a daily struggle. We have been enjoying recently that the help for this is to be full of Christ and His Word and then there is neither room nor desire it if Christ is all. It can even be the little things that get our minds so carried away. As a busy mom the thought of company sends my mind into a frenzy of planning and worrying about a hundred details ( don't let this keep you away friends and family we do enjoy you!!)
But I was reminded of the verses in the story where the Lord visited the 3 siblings of Bethany. "Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came unto HIM and said , Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus ...said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part that shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42 I think I am often "cumbered about much serving" in the hospitality area. It is a much calmer state of affairs to be "sitting at HIS feet" in dependence on HIM for the direction of my time and efforts. Just some thoughts along the way that have been turning in my mind of late.
2 comments:
thnaks for sharing... i've been thinking lots about the same thing-
katie
I agree. It's so easy to get caught up in the temporary, the practical, that we lose the real spirit of hospitality...that is receiving others into our home and seeking to encourage them, wash their feet, and build them up. Good reminders!
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