THE BURDEN
it is so heavy
this burden of mine I bear
it seems I’ve carried it ever so long
I’ve lost my will to care
no longer does my gaze look up
I walk with eyes cast down
hope no longer a companion of mine
my face a constant frown
where once my reach was upward
no longer is there a bended knee
now my hands hang down
and I know that I’m far from free
my choices have built this burden
it’s driven me to despair
I’ve lost my will to change my life
I have no hope of repair
if only I could go back
and walk again the trail of my life
if I’d known then what I know now
I could have avoided the agony of strife
going back is not something I can do
the course of my life seems cast
but then, deep within stirs a thought divine
the rays of hope have not passed
at first it’s just a little glimmer of light
like winter sunlight on my face
it opens a sliver of space in my heart
that allows entrance for God’s grace
the warmth it brings
instantly lightens my load
it gives light to my eyes
and begins to illuminate my road
I sense the tentacles of divine love
in the darkness reaching out to me
if only I can choose to respond
perhaps that love can set me free
hope begins anew
things begin to turn
is there power to heal my soul
can someone know how much I yearn
my plaintive pleas aim upward
hoping someone there will hear
a voice of comfort comes to me
with news my broken heart can cheer
there is a Holy One who hears
who is willing my burden to bear
He who is the Christ
has always been there
but now I’m ready to receive him
ready to open my heart
ready to have Him heal my soul
ready for that which only He can impart
I’m ready to be relieved
ready to be healed
ready to accept his offering
to believe what He has revealed
I’m ready to reach upward
ready to claim what He offers me
ready to let Him chart my course
ready to be set free
the cleansing blood of Christ
has power to make all things right
to rescue all who seek His help
to give the blind new sight
to embrace us in the arms of His love
to make our weakness a strength
to reach our reach and lift us up
to bring us home, even if at length