The Soldier

Spiritual battle is a fight with the devil (and the self - me.  We are our own worst enemies).  Unlike other battles, the ultimate victory comes through surrender (to Christ).   

Me

The Preparation

From here to there I take no heed
Thrusting where my cravings lead
Assiduously plodding through the night
Equipping myself for daily fight

Without thought, concern nor tender care

Ambition drives me to lay bare

The splendor of a pear tree dove

Or purity of a child’s young love

With every passing day of gain

I scour the earth for more attain

Observing while the innocent flee

Endeavoring to fill the void in me

I readily climb the highest peak

Assurance I am unlike the meek

Willing to wage a full assault

Ambivalent to where might lay the fault

In endless quest for the more

I see the sign from serpent’s lore

Go out and ready for the take

One final conquest thou must make

A carpenter's son is this gent

Who for countless years is too far spent

He has captured many with his plea

Those who rightfully belong to me

The Battle

I took then my shield and my sword

To do the bidding of my lord

By land, by river, by hill, by sea

To crush this one from Galilee

But where is He from ancient day

Is it possible I've lost my way?

I will imperil those who bear His mark

While slithering further into the dark

Show yourself Galilean I bellow cry

Do you not know that it is I

Let us gird ourselves for the decisive clash

To the victor goes the spoils and ash

“It is Me” finally came a whisper to hardened heart’s door

The one you’ve always been searching for

Your heart beat My knock has ever been

Just waiting for you to let Me in

"Lay down your weapons I come in peace

Let your resentment finally cease

I have no anxiety for who might have won

My only victory is that you become a true son”

“You want me?” I queried with childlike sigh

The one who dwells on mountain most high

How is it possible for you to reconcile

With one who has spent a life most vile

The Surrender

“Let Me in and you will see

The transforming forgiveness that has been entrusted to Me

For you yourself I will take

A man in My image to remake”

"Let Me in” I heard again that hour

“I do not wish to take your power

It’s not a matter of toil and till

It’s only a matter of what you will”

“I am a man who goes to and fro

Tis too much anguish for me to let go

What you ask of me sounds of chide

How can a man expire his pride?”

“O man who sought the world to gain

You who now fear some pain

Accept the strength to you I gave

There are now new roads for us to pave”

“Let Me in I will change your heart

Yes suffering there will be your part

But a new, better man will emerge from the mist

For your old self then will cease to exist”

“Yes a new type of strength to capture” says I

“My greatest conquest then is to die

I will now no longer live for me

But for Him who has come to set me free”