This poem was the second part of my poetry submission in high school. For inspiration, I looked to the Great Commission in the final chapter of Matthew; I also drew on sermons that mentioned having a heart like God’s for the lost.

“The Call” (#2)
Go, My children, preach My Word
To those in the world who have never heard.
Don’t you know their suffering? I do-too well;
Their sin is dragging them down the path to Hell.
So why don’t you go and reach out, you who are My hands and feet,
Go from your comfort zone and share with whoever you meet.
Don’t be afraid, I am with you forever and now;
Just give Me the chance to use you, and I’ll show you how
The lives you touch will change-it’s quite a surprise
How people’s hearts transform with Me in their lives.
It’s true some will reject the message, and into sin flee;
Just remember that it’s not you that they hate, but Me.
But focus on the changed ones, and those whom I hold dear;
For each one I have shed more than just a tear.
I went to the cross, and there suffered and died;
Their sin was redeemed when I was crucified.
But unless you go to them, and you speak of this,
Then alas, My sacrifice would become meaningless.
So go, My children, and tell them, enduring the strife,
And lead them to accept the gift of everlasting life.

“An Unbeliever’s Rejection of the Call of God” (#1)

Do you think I hear your call?
I don’t care; not at all.
Why is your race the only one I can run?
I won’t do it, God-that way is no fun.
I’ll take the wild life-drugs, alcohol, and sex;
I don’t care if it’s bad-it makes me feel the best.
To me, eternity doesn’t matter, my destiny and how
I brought it on myself-I want the here and now.
Maybe I’ll answer you later-I’ll consider your tears,
But not until I’ve had my way for many, many years.

I first wrote this poem in 2004, during my junior year of high school. Originally, it was a prospective entry for a collection of student poems, but turned into the beginning of a passionate pursuit that would continue until the end of my college career. The rhyming wasn’t always the greatest, but I always looked for the wider message it spoke.

In this poem, I thought of why people (historically and in the present) choose to turn away from God. The Bible often speaks of the pursuit of worldly pleasures drawing the mind and heart into darkness, and far too often people tragically miss the opportunity to escape the trap because they think they have more time to do as they wish.