I dreamed my sins were written down, I thought I saw them stretch
From here for such a distance; I wondered what they’d fetch?
Would anybody bid for them if they were auctioned off?
Would anyone be interested, or would the bidders scoff
And say, “Far too expensive”. “Don’t try and sell me that”!
“I wouldn’t even bid for them to throw out for the cat”!
And so I stood there all alone and no one seemed to care.
They paid me scant attention, as though I wasn’t there.
They giggled, scoffed and sneered at me; their laughter filled the room.
But none of all their levity could penetrate my gloom.
How long was I left standing? It seemed a million years.
And no one took an interest in me and all my tears.
I peered out of the window and saw the falling rain
And cried out for a Saviour to take away my pain.
But nothing seemed to happen. At least, that’s what I thought
Until a ray of sunshine stole in and gently brought
A stillness to my spirit. I knew that He had come.
He looked at me with loving eyes and said to me, “My son.
You see this endless line of sin? Please let me take that on.”
I nodded and then instantly that shameful line was gone.
It seemed that He’d “absorbed” them and they were mine no more
And tears of grateful gratitude like rain began to pour.
I tried to stammer, “Thank you!” but I had been struck dumb.
There simply wasn’t words enough of thanks for what He’d done.
And then He took me in His arms and drew me to His chest.
“Your sins have gone”, He said to me, “As far as East from West.”
I stared in blank amazement. I couldn’t take it in.
Had some one really come to me to take away my sin?
Not mine! That was not possible. My stain was crimson bright.
But when I took another look, I saw He’d made me white.
I glowed with all His goodness. I saw that I was clean.
In spite of all my wickedness and all the things I’d been
I saw I was forgiven. He didn’t bear a grudge.
I hadn’t gone beyond a place from which He couldn’t budge.
The Lord had really done it. I tried to ask Him “Why?”
He smiled and whispered gently, “My son, don’t even try
To understand My doings. They can’t be comprehended
Just know into your inner man, My Spirit has descended
This truth will never be made known to any human mind.
But deep within your inner man is where to look to find
The evidence you’re seeking. You’ll find the witness there.
A truth that only comes to you through seeking Me and prayer”.
I nodded in agreement. For what else could I do?
My mind was in confusion; my heart said, “Yes it’s true!
The Saviour has redeemed me. This isn’t just a joke.
There is no need for emptiness - not while I wear His yoke”.
And so my sobbing ended and then I looked around.
The people who had sniggered at me could not be found.
Instead I saw a myriad of angels looking on
Amazed that I had been redeemed and all my sins were gone.
And then again I saw Him. He was lifted up on high.
Yet even then He held me - I dreamed that we could fly.
It seemed that we were heading for a place He had prepared
No longer was there reason for me to feel so scared.
Then once again I looked and in my dream I thought I saw
A Golden throne and cherubim; a rainbow and much more.
The other things that I observed are more than I dare say,
But somehow in my heart I’d been with Jesus Christ that day.
Then quietly it ended. The dream began to fade.
I didn’t want to go back home and tried to be delayed.
But gradually the sunlight came and shone upon my face
And I became aware I was no longer in that place.
But why did Jesus do it? Why did He give to me
This vision of my line of sin that reached eternity?
What purpose was there in it? And, what should I do next?
These questions thundered through my mind and made me feel so vexed.
Then quietly His Spirit whispered gently in my ear,
“Go on in strength My soldier; there’s nothing you need fear.
There’s so much more I’m planning and lots you have to do
To help the people understand there’s many folk like you;
Helpless men and women who know that they are lost
With all their neighbours giggling about the dreadful cost
Of all that they’ve committed through wasted lives of sin;
And crying out for mercy from the trap they’d fallen in.
“So go on out and tell them they mustn’t give up hope.
Tell them I will save them when they know they cannot cope
With all that they are going through and all their wicked deeds;
And that there’s a solution to all their lustful greeds.
Tell them that I love them and that I’ll surely do
As much for every one of them as I have done for you.
If they’ll come in repentance I’ll wash them white as snow
And fill them with My Spirit so each of them will know
That nothing is impossible. They only must believe
And everything I’ve done for them they surely will receive.
And as they start to do it and walk through life with Me,
My Spirit will accompany them for all eternity!"
Jim Strickland – written 11th December 2005 
