I came across the following in a small booklet of poetry Mom had that I read in 1974 when I was only 8 years old. (Oops❗️🫢 Accidentally outed my age on the internet again.)
(*Remember poetry must be read out loud)
"I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey ...
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things ...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise ...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God ...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things ...
I got nothing I asked for—but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed."
- Unknown Confederate soldier
My first take on reading it as a child, almost 4 years before I became Born Again and owned Jesus as my Lord, was that if God was trying to drum up business THIS poem was NOT going to do it for Him. In fact, I suspected it was a clever plot by Atheists to sound like it's Christian but actually turn people off of following Jesus altogether. 🤨
Unfortunately/Fortunately this poem is as realistically Christian as one can get.
Shall I explain the great truth of this poem to you line by line as all those who have known and followed Jesus for a Lifetime and through great suffering can do?
Nope.
Until you have encountered your own personal seasons of suffering our explanations will fall on deaf, unexperienced ears.
However, I can tell you that you should ponder this poem a bit and keep it handy because Following Jesus goes hand in hand with suffering.
(It appears I won't be drumming up much business for Following Jesus either.)
Then let me redeem your time with the words of the Apostle Paul when he was discussing all the great things in life this world had given him but he had forsaken to Follow obediently wherever Jesus had called him to go.
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."
Philippians 3:7-8
Yes. Jesus is just that wonderful to know.
Well put, Paul.
Link to all of Philippians chapter 3 from the Bible
The Truth with Love,
Always Laura-Lee
Your treat for scrolling to the bottom? 🤔
Ah! 😃
"Walk On" by 4Him
Keep going, Children. 😖
We're almost Home. 🥹
