XXX: Obstacles

Who put these obstacles in my way?
What are they doing here?
Move aside please!
Let me past!
I haven’t got all day!

My life was going smoothly.
My hair was neatly arranged.
I was getting to heaven one step at a time –
Before things started to change.

I didn’t ask for problems.
I didn’t ask for cares.
I had everything under control,
As You are well aware.

Then someone put obstacles in my way.
Why did they put them here?
Move aside please!
Let me past!
I haven’t got all day!

On Monday I was going to love.
On Tuesday I wanted to give.
On Wednesday I planned to help someone.
On Thursday just to live.

I’m a very busy man you see, dear Lord,
Doing good week-in, week-out.
I haven’t got time for these difficulties
In the work that I’m about.

So why put these obstacles in my way?
What are they doing here?
Move aside please!
Let me past!
I haven’t got all day!

XXI: Talking to thin air

Sometimes it feels like I’m talking to thin air.

When I kneel before Your throne and You don’t notice me.
When I put my hands together and You don’t respond.
When I’ve done everything right but You’re still not there
It seems as if I’m talking to thin air.

When I glorify Your greatness but Your glory is withheld.
When I tell You how much I love You but the love’s not returned.
When I mouth the words I think I should say but my mind is elsewhere
It seems as if I’m talking to thin air.

When I ask very kindly but I do not receive.
When I knock on the door and nobody answers.
When I think I want something but I don’t really care
It seems as if I’m talking to thin air.

When I tell You all my worries and You don’t pay attention.
When I cry out for help and You don’t give me a hand.
When all I want is a crutch to make this life fair
Then I’m talking to thin air.

XIX: Fire!

(after Langston Hughes)

Fire!

I’m on fire!
I’m burning!
I’m on fire for the Lord!
Filled with His spirit!
Oh yes!
I’m on fire!

Fire, Lord!

I’m on fire!
I’m burning!
I’m on fire in the depths of Hell!
Filled with sin!
Oh no!
I’m on fire!

Fire, Lord!
I’m on fire!

XVI: What I'm told

God says do;
So I do.
God say don’t;
So I don’t.
But if He asks me to do that –
I won’t.

God says wait;
So I wait.
God says go;
So I go.
But if He tries to push me there –
I’ll say no.

God says ask;
So I ask.
God says pray;
So I pray.
But if He wants me to confront them –
I’ll run away.

God says hope;
So I hope.
God says try;
So I try.
But if He opens His arms like that –
I’ll cry.

X: A sufficient blessing

Where’s the joy and where the hope?
Where the passion and vigour of God?
Where the rapture? Where the praise?
Where the bounteous gifts of the Lord?

All I have is peace.
Peace in my heart; peace in my soul;
Peace in my mind: that is all.

What good is peace to me?
I can’t use peace to move a mountain.
Peace won’t make a shield to fend off sin.
I won’t win many battles with peace.
Peace won’t carry my burdens very far.

Where’s the sword and where the cross?
Where the roots to hold the tree?
Where the lion? Where the strength?
Where the power promised to me?

All I have is peace.