Did not our hearts burn within us…? - Luke 24:32
I write this as many millions of our brothers and sisters in Christ will begin a 40 day journey called “Lent.” Although Lent, unlike Advent, is almost exclusively the heritage of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox faiths, there is nothing to keep evangelical Protestants from setting aside seasons in our lives to concentrate on our faith and relationship with the God who has given to us out of his great abundance and mercy.
Many of you know of my love for good poetry. I read poetry and memorize some of my favorite poems. I even write a few. I make no claims to any proficiency at the art, but to mark the beginning of this season that some will embrace, I offer this humble poem that speaks of the true believer’s desire to know and make known our great God.
The Burning Heart
To desire Him above all with an unquenchable thirst
To never glance back from the start
To follow the path paved with bricks formed of faith
This is the goal of the burning heart
To stand firm to the end when all others depart
To confess when so many deny
To say “yes” when the masses are unwilling to go
This is the strength of the burning heart
To taste only of you, O Bread of Life
And from you never to part
To drink solely from the fount of your unsearchable grace
This is the desire of the burning heart
Emmanuel, God with us, centerpiece of God's art
Fountainhead of wisdom and strength
To pursue you and find you and seek only your face
This is the pleasure of the burning heart
With a zeal to serve others because we have freely received
And to care for the low in estate
To share with His people from the first-fruits of our crops
This is the joy of the burning heart
To be mocked and derided for the sake of the Name
To be willing to die for our part
To withstand public slander and to embrace every shame
This is the courage of the burning heart
To honor our sisters and our brothers to cheer
To stand bold for the truth in love
To bear up under suffering until all is made clear
This is the proof of the burning heart
With the heart we seek wisdom
With the heart we believe
With the heart we embrace the true faith
With the heart we love others
And share grace we’ve received
...This is the seal of the burning heart
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym