If I Am Not Careful

So teach us to number our days, that we may

present to You a heart of wisdom

(Psalm 90:12)

 

Pride so often whispers in my ear,

stroking my ego,

telling me how important I am –

or how important people should think I am.

 

If I'm not careful,

I might start to believe

such nonsense about myself;

 

If I'm not careful,

I might forget the Apostle’s words, 

“What do you have

that you did not receive?

But if you received it,

why do you boast

as if you had not received it?”*

 

I might presume

my strength and my skill 

apart from Christ

achieves anything

of eternal worth.

 

I might forget

though Christ calls me “friend”

I am His slave.

Though God’s son,

I am His servant. 

 

I might forget

I’ve been bought

with an astounding price**

that I am not my own,

but I belong to Him.

 

I might forget

Calvary’s cross must fall across

my every work and word,

arising until retiring,

that at all times, in all ways,          

in all my life,

Christ must increase;

I must decrease.

 

If I’m not careful

I might forget

the Lord Jesus will return –

 

O! Come! Lord Jesus –  

 

If I'm not careful

I might forget

the Lord Jesus will return
for a people set apart
by profound commitment to Him,

for a people who do not forget

who they are
and to Whom they belong;

For a people preparing themselves
daily
to greet Him in holiness

when the trumpet sounds.

 

 

*1 Corinthians 4:7
** 1 Corinthians 6:20