“Lord,” I said, “I want to be your man, not my own.
So to you I give my money, my car—even my home.”
Then, smug and content, I relaxed with a smile
And whispered to God, “I bet it’s been a while
Since anyone has given so much – so freely?”
His answered surprised me. He replied, “Not really.
“Not a day has gone by since the beginning of time
That someone hasn’t offered meager nickels and dimes,
Golden altars and crosses, contributions and penance,
Stone monuments and steeples; but why not repentance?
“The money, the statues, the cathedrals you’ve built,
Do you really think I need offerings of guilt?
What good is money that’s meant only to salve
The hurting conscience that so many of you have?
“Your lips know no prayers. Your eyes no compassion.
But you will go to church (when churchgoing’s in fashion).
“Just give me a tear – a heart ready to mold
And I’ll give you a mission, a message so bold
That a fire will be stirred where there was only death,
And your heart will be flamed by my life and my breath.”
I stuck my hands in my pockets and kick at the dirt
It’s tough to be corrected
But it was worth the struggle to realize the thought
That the Cross isn’t for sale and Christ blood can’t be bought
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
- 1 Samuel 15.22
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