A poem - it doesn't really need an introduction - have a read...
When I became a Christian I said, “Lord now fill me in. Tell me what I’ll suffer in this world of shame and sin?”
Well He said, “Your body could be killed and left to rot and stink. Do you still want to follow me?”
I said “Amen… I think.
I think Amen. Amen I think. I think I say Amen. Look, I’m not completely sure, could we just run through that again?
You say my body could be killed and left to rot and stink? Ah yeah, that sounds terrific Lord. I say Amen, I think.
But Lord, look there must be other ways to follow you,” I said. “I really would prefer to end up dying in my bed.”
“Well yes,” he said, “you could put up with sneers and scorn and spit. You still want to follow me?”
And I said “Amen… a bit.
A bit Amen. Amen a bit. A bit I say Amen. Look, I’m not entirely sure, could we just run through that again. You said I could put up with sneers and scorn and spit. Well yes, I’ve made up my mind and I say Amen…a bit.”
Well I sat back and thought a while and then I tried a different ploy. I said, “Now Lord the good book says Christians live in Joy?”
“That’s true,” He said, “you’re going to need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow. Do you still want to follow me?”
And I said “Amen…tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow Lord, I’ll say it then, that’s when I’ll say amen. You see I’ve got to get it clear, could we just run through that again? You said that I’ll need the Joy to bear the pain and sorrow? Well yes I think I’ve got it straight, I’ll say Amen tomorrow.”
He said, “Look I’m not asking you to spend an hour with me, a quick salvation sandwich and a cup of sainted tea! The cost is you, not half of you but every single bit! Now tell me, will you follow me?”
And I said, “Amen… No… I quit.”
“I’m awfully sorry Lord,” I said, “I’d like to follow you but I don’t think religion is a ‘manly’ thing to do.”
And He said, “You forget religion then and think about my son and you tell me if you are man enough to do what he has done?
Are you man enough to see the need? Are you man enough to go? Are you man enough to care for those that no one wants to know?
Are you man enough to say the things that people hate to hear and battle through Gethsemane in loneliness and fear?”
And listen, “Are you man enough to stand it at the end, the moment of betrayal by the kisses of your friend?
Are you man enough to hold your tongue?
Are you man enough to cry when the nails break your body?”
Are you man enough to die, man enough to take the pain and wear it like a crown, man enough to love this world and turn it upside down?
Are you man enough to follow me, I ask you once again?”
I said, “Lord I’m frightened” but I also said, “Amen! Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen!” I said, “Lord, I’m so frightened but I also said…Amen!”
Author unknown... via Michael Frost, Nov 06
