PROGRESS

There is a concept in the world that Christianity,

   Is just for wimps and fearful folk who lack security.

They cannot stand up for themselves and need some form of crutch.

   They hide behind a Deity; the world does not need much.

We cannot change perceptions or what outsiders think.

   But we must also realise that there is just a chink

Of truth, in what they’re thinking, because we hide behind

   The walls of rigid thinking, erected in the mind!

We’ve more denominations than anyone can count.

   We take the people to a “church” instead of to the “fount”.

We teach the people “systems” instead of Christ the Lord.

   No wonder when outsiders look, they tell us they are bored.

There isn’t any relevance behind our self-made walls.

   Who cares what hypocrites will do inside our “sacred halls”?

We’ve missed what Paul was teaching. The Christian life is rough.

   This is a race we’re running in; the competition’s tough

We need to be in training. It’s known as discipline.

   There is no time to laze around, if we are out to win!

It isn’t shadowboxing. We have to be in trim.

   There isn’t an alternative if we would follow Him!

Jesus said take up your cross, each moment every day.

   He warned us not to look behind or we will lose our way.

Paul warned that even preachers could be disqualified.

   And that our Christian progress is ours to decide.

He told us of the armour that Christians need to wear.

   We’re in a mighty battle; not at the county fair.

We can’t resist the enemy unless we’re standing strong.

  For our corrupted nature will always get things wrong.

So let us be obedient and let God’s Spirit lead.

   We know that as we’re doing it, He’ll meet our every need;

And as we fight this battle, the heathen will observe

   That living as a Christian, takes guts and lots of nerve.

Let’s show them their perceptions are not what they have thought.

   That we are facing challenges like an Olympic sport.

And that we are succeeding not in our strength alone,

   But by the Spirit of the Lord. We’re never on our own!

And we will conquer giants; whatever demons bring.

   For Jesus is our trainer, our captain and our King.

Jim Strickland – written Friday 20^th May 2011.