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WHAT IS IT TO ME

 

What is it to me

that angels proclaim

the divine baby born,

eternal His fame?

 

What is it to me

of a foreordained time,

a prophesied place,

of wonder sublime?

 

What is it to me

this talk of the star,

of shepherds and stables,

and wise men afar?

 

What is it to me

to focus my gaze

on that stable so bare

where the Christ child lays?

 

What is it to me

that water becomes wine,

that lepers are healed,

by a Son divine?

 

What is it to me

to walk on the sea,

the blind to have sight,

and for death to flee?

 

What is it to me

that He’s in the garden alone

to bear unbearable weight,

for my sins to atone?

 

What is it to me

that my guilt and pain

He would take upon Him

so I could be born again?

 

What is it to me

that alone He withstood

the devil’s evil attacks

as only He could?

 

What is it to me

that He be taken and tried

by unjust men

to be crucified?

 

What is it to me

that into Him spikes were driven,

hung by men among thieves

ignorant of what He had given?

 

What is it to me

that in a tomb He was laid

while to the prison He fled

bringing hope to those afraid?

 

What is it to me

that on that Sunday morn

the tomb was found empty,

the fear of death was shorn?

 

What is it to me

that death has no sting,

the grave yields no power,

that he was crowned King?

 

What is it to me

that He now stands supreme

as King of Kings, 

worthy of all esteem?

 

What is it to me

that He should even come,

for I have no need

to which I’d succumb?

 

What is it to me

whose life is mine,

suited to fit my needs,

no time for the divine?

 

But what is it to me

when the baubles fade

and all I have loved

I discover decayed?

 

What is it to me

when all that I sought,

when all I desired

has come to naught?

 

Then when I am humbled

and faced with my plight,

with nowhere else to turn,

when my heart becomes contrite;

 

when I face my shallow life

and realize more was meant for me,

then it all becomes so clear

so easy for me to see.

 

But will it be too late,

will my regret suffice?

Is there yet hope for me,

can I ever pay the price?

 

If only I had seen sooner

what is so plain to see now.

If only I had followed Him

and offered Him my vow.

 

But now is where I am

though late it seems to be.

I’ll gladly confess His name 

and humbly bend my knee.

 

In hope I look upward

wondering if He would care.

In that moment of miniscule faith

I realize He was always there.

 

His sweet tender voice

whispers to my heart.

He has already paid my price

and now just wants my part. 

 

All He asks of me

is to follow him and obey His law.

Then His blood can wash me clean

and I’ll eagerly bow in humble awe.

 

For now the risen Lord

is the only one I can see.

Indeed He is the only way.

NOW, He means everything to me.

 

The writing of this poem was perhaps the most amazing experience I’ve ever had with a poem.  I was sitting at a funeral when it happened.  The speaker was discussing the great gifts given by the life and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  As I observed the people around me, it was painfully obvious that many had absolutely no interest in Jesus Christ or anything related to Him.  As I was pondering that thought, words began flowing into my mind.  I grabbed a program and began writing as fast as I could.  It was like taking dictation.  I knew they weren’t my words.  I have great respect for this poem because I know that I was not the author.