The Young Christian

“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:12-14

I was thinking of how God can use weak and simple things to bless us. And though there are many examples I could use, I thought that I would share with you a poem. I had originally read this about eight years ago and it really let me, at that time, bring things into perspective. It’s not fabulous by any means, and it’s a fairly simple poem, and has a few flaws, but it once blessed me none the less.

The Young Christian

I cannot give it up.
The little world I know -
The innocent delights of youth
The things I cherish so!
‘Tis true, I love my Lord,
And long to do His will;
But oh, I may enjoy the world
And be Christian still.

I love the hour of prayer,
I love the hymns of praise
I love the blessed word which tells
Of God’s redeeming grace
But I am human still!
And while I dwell on earth,
God surely will not grudge the hours
I spend in harmless mirth!

These things belong to youth,
And are its natural right -
My dress, my pass time and my friends,
The merry and the bright.
My Father’s heart is kind!
He will not count it ill
That my small corner of the world
Should please and hold me still!

And yet –“outside the camp”-
‘Twas there my Savior died!
It was the world that cast Him forth
And saw Him crucified,
Can I take part with those
Who nailed Him to the tree?
And where His name is never praised
Is there a place for me?

Nay, world! I turn away
Tho’ thou seem fair and good;
That friendly outstretched hand of thine
Is stained with Jesus’ blood.
If in thy least device
I stoop to take a part,
All unaware, thine influence steals
God’s presence from my heart.

I miss my Savior’s smile,
When’ ere I walk thy ways;
Thy laughter drowns the Spirits voice,
And chokes the springs of praise.
When’ ere I turn aside
To join thee for an hour,
The face of Christ grows blurred and dim,
And prayer has lost its power.

Farewell… Henceforth my place
Is with the Lamb who died.
My Sovereign! While I have Thy love,
What can I want beside?
Thyself, blest Lord, art now
My free and loving choice,
In whom, though now I see thee not,
Believing, I rejoice.

Shame on me that I sought
Another joy than this,
Or dreamt a heart at rest with Thee
Could crave for earthly bliss!
These vain and worthless things,
I put them all aside;
His goodness fills my longing soul,
And I am satisfied.

Lord Jesus! Let me dwell
“Outside the camp” with Thee!
Since Thou art there, then there alone
Is peace and rest for me.
Thy dear reproach to bear
I’ll count my highest gain
Till Thou return, rejected one.
To take Thy power, and reign.

written by an unknown author.

See nothing great... but it really helped me to focus my eyes back on Christ Jesus, and to see that some of the things we think are harmless could be a form of idolarty, if not put in proper check.

It's so easy to get distracted by the worthless things of this life, but we must set them aside and return to our Lord.

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:14-22