The golden rule says, “treat others the way you’d want to be treated.”
I’m beginning to see that I mixed it all up.
I muddled it, maybe
juggled it, maybe.
Anyhow,
It became the cross I would bear.
I performed for everyone a custom show
Reckless, I gathered up hearts for myself,
like gemstones, regularly polished –
caring for them how authorities wished
I would care for my material possessions.
Some people don’t like this.
Can’t say that I blame them.
But please, understand,
I was doing so as a protection.
Plus, I believed, as strange as it sounds,
“it’s a blessing to be one of
my specimens.”
They were well tended to, after all.
Most, though, don’t see it, or, won’t see it.
But if you’re reading, and if you realize, truly realize, that yes, this song is about you,
You will be angry with me.
Until you ask yourself the question I would ask you, if only I were brave enough;
“would you still love me, if I stopped all the tending and polishing?
I must stop CARING ABOUT THAT!
I must repent.
I must give up my idols.
As in days of old, I will rend my garments and sit in ashes. I shall weep, for the Lord is taking my jewels, and I shall perish in this wilderness alone.
I will survive.***
Haven’t I always?
Hasn’t it always been just you and I?****
Though it was a prison of my own making, I did survive that life.
I could live it again.
If I had to.
Lord, I don’t want to, but I will, if I have to.
For you are the ONE TRUE GOD and YOU ALONE shall I worship!
Curse you, idols, into the fiery furnace you go!
Forgive me for worshiping the creation rather than the creator, making an idol of love.**
IT’S DONE. NOW WHAT?
How do I move forward, having thrown my idols
(every last one)
into the fiery furnace?
Alas, they shall become like lava.
Of course, you could fill your time seeking out the kingdom,
Trusting the Father will provide for all your needs.
Yes, Lord, I’ll trust you, and focus on your Kingdom.
What you are offering’s more valuable to me
than ten thousand jewels over which I used to value
anything you could offer me.
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
LORD PLEASE FORGIVE ME
Why are you crying? Make merry and be glad! Celebrate my son’s return to me!
Not I, Lord, not me, for I have been always with thee – The hero is surely somebody else.
How foolish you have been; you’ve been stumbling for so long.
Celebrate that you can finally see!
Hallelujah, I can finally see!
BEHOLD – the gems are not as of glass, as ye believed!
BEHOLD – they are made of gold, yes, gold! The fire has refined them, they are purified, and now they are true PURE GOLD.
ISN’T THIS A TIME FOR YOU TO CELEBRATE
YOU’VE ACHIEVED YOUR GREATEST DESIRE
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SAD SACK, SITTING IN ASHES,
CRYING OVER GEMS THAT WENT INTO THE FIRE?
YOU NOW POSSES THE LOVE OF MAN
IT’S NOT AN ACT, YOU SEE!
THEY REALLY LOVE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE!
CAN’T YOU SEE HOW THEY’VE TRIED TO SHOW YOU!
CAN’T YOU SEE HOW EVEN NOW THEY’RE THERE FOR YOU!
YES! Yes, I see, see it all so clearly!
I thought the fire would destroy my gems
Instead I posses the one thing I’ve always coveted
Finally I’ve GAINED the love of man!
BUT NO!
NO!
I MUST STOP CARING ABOUT THAT!
What about the stuff that is, “the kingdom of the Lord?”
I really meant it when I committed myself!
I BELIEVE!
I BELIEVE!
And I know that this gift is worth more than any gold.
It is worth more than pure gold!
FINE!
BUT HOW?
HOW WILL YOU LIVE A LIFE, NOT A PERFORMANCE?
WHO EVEN ARE YOU, ANYWAY?
WITHOUT A ROLE TO PLAY AND WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE
WHAT ARE YOU, ANYWAY?
It doesn’t matter for my life is but a vapor. I have the Lord and that is quite enough for me.
I AM ASKING YOU, AND NOT SOME ROAMING CLOUD.
WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?
I do not care, though at one time I could answer.
Kindly take your question up the chain of command.
GOODBYE and GOOD RIDDANCE
(You wish. I’LL BE BACK)
Lord, I’m still a mother, but I’m quite near my retirement.
I still have so many years with which I can serve you.
I’m tempted to worry or to wonder how to do this.
Instead, help me trust in you.
Help me rest in you.
**Air Supply song? Or Billy Idol song? Could see it going either way.
***Not this time. Sorry, kiddies. Been to too many weddings.
****Sing it with me… “and Iiiiiiii, remember our fiiirst embraaaace…”