Dying Grace

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21

We sing about the joys of heaven
and how we long to go;
and understandably, we add,
“Some day—but not just now!”

We’ll spend our utmost, Satan said,
to live—yes, so it seems,
and heaven can wait, which we confess,
exceeds our wildest dreams! 

Within the providence of God
there comes a time to die;
why then should we, who know the Lord, 
so reluctantly comply?

We testify that Jesus is
our best friend, true and tried;
but mesmerized by this world’s charms,
forget we are His bride!

“O grave, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?”
Is this to us mere rhetoric—
words with a hollow ring?

“But I’m still needed in this world!”
Perhaps—to ease some woe,
but when our Lord says, “That’s enough,”
we should be glad to go.

And thanks to God, life can be good;
His grace we may employ;
if we commune with Him each day,
we’ll know His peace and joy.

“My times are in Thy hand,” dear Lord—
alike, in joy or pain;
and so, “For me to live is Christ—
to die—eternal gain!”

fpn /1995


Picture: depositphotos.com #15816415, standard license