FOLLOW ME
(Two Sonnets)
“an unconditional readiness to change”
—Dietrich von Hildebrand
FIRST
Christ Jesus leads, Good Shepherd of His sheep;
His “Follow Me” means where you are won’t do.
On transformation’s path climb leap by leap,
Your character needs growth that’s ever new.
There is no stage in life when you can quit,
Your spirit ever strives against the flesh;
Progress then toward His likeness bit by bit,
Til you at last in heav’n with Christ enmesh.
Consistency may mask complacency;
Beware long years of stubborn views and ways.
This life is brief so change and grow, then see
Th’eternal being you’ll forever stay.
Each day you live climb up, press through: go on!
Advance within your heart by grace: grow on!
SECOND
The soul you grow is who you’ll be in heaven,
Forever you will live with who you are;
Keep on to cleanse your temple of its leaven,
Forever you’ll be glad you raised the bar.
The purer are the closer ones to God,
This is the kernel point to growth and change;
When Him you see what joy to find you’ve trod
As close as His foreknowledge did arrange.
Grand purpose, this—it makes life meaningful,
Enlarge your heart and soul under His lead;
The gain well worth the effort up to pull,
Waste not one drop which He for you did bleed.
Each day you live climb up, press through: go on!
Advance within your heart by grace: grow on!
by Kristen Sykes