The Call of the City

These words, this poem, by George MacDonald… Powerful…

As I read the inspiring words of this poem, I couldn’t help but hear an echo in my heart.

I said: “Let me walk in the field;”        I want to pick my places, I say.
God said: “Nay, walk in the town;”     Your life is Mine, He says.
I said: “There are no flowers there;”   I have good excuses, I say.
He said: “No flowers, but a crown.”    See the bigger picture, He says.
I said: “But the sky is black,                 But, I’m afraid of the city, I say.
There is nothing but noise and din;”   It is polluted and void, I say.
But He wept as He sent me back,        The city, He guides me with compassion.
“There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”  Goods reasons are there, He says.
I said: “But the air is thick,                   But, someone else is better, I say.
And fogs are veiling the sun.”               I am not clear-headed, I say.
He answered: “Yet souls are sick,        There is need to be addressed, He says.
And souls in the dark undone.”            My mission, My agenda, He says.
I said: “I shall miss the light,                But, I am comfortable here, I say.
And friends will miss me, they say,”    I’m attached to my friends, I say.
He answered me, “Choose tonight,      Trust Me and make a choice, He says.
If I am to miss you, or they.”                 Friends or Me, choose, He says.
I pleaded for time to be given;              I need more time to think, I say.
He said: “Is it hard to decide?              Following is what you decided, He says.
It will not seem hard in heaven,          Heaven was your first choice, He says.
To have followed the steps of your Guide.”  So, follow My Spirit, He says.
I cast one look at the fields,                  I contemplate where I am.
Then set my face to the town;               I shift my direction to the city.
He said: “My child, do you yield?         Are you coming with Me, He says.
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”  Keep the crown before you, He says.
Then into His hand went mine,            I crossed with Him, hand in hand.
And into my heart came He;                 He gave me courage to move forward.
And I walk in a light Divine,                 He gave me His Light for my path.

The streets I feared to see.”                   He removed by doubts and fears.

Psalm 94:18-19 “When I said ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”