The Cry

I originally wrote this poem in 1992 when I was first saved at Bethel Camp. I remember I felt God wanted me to go to the altar, but I was stubborn. I asked him for a sign to be sure he wanted me to go. Within a second or two of asking the question, my brother Caleb went down to the altar.

I knew then I had to go.

Since then I had fallen away. I chose pleasure and personal desire over what God desired. Somehow I never found myself in such a loss. How had this happened? I had done only what I wanted putting myself first and not God. Then in my loss, God poured his grace on me.

It is with these thoughts that I re-approached this poem and began writing a new ending.

It is more of a story than a poem. It is still, after 15 years, still a work in progress. So am I.

The Cry
by Daniel Birch
© 1992 redone © 2007

Sitting in the loneliness of the night
Wondering to myself is there nothing more?
I’ve taken too many blows this time
My heart is crushed
My soul is finished
I can do nothing for I am bound and with what I do not know

Voices cry out in the dark
Voices of decisions to be made
Selfish choices
Angry choices
Sinful choices

Then another voice calls my name
This one is different from the others. Filled with love and understanding
This voice says,”Give to me your burdens, accept my gift and you will be forgiven.
Call on my name and I’ll be there”

In the distance I can see the light shine.
The light shines on my darkness and I can now see what binds me.
Chains. My chains. Chains of lies, lust, and pride.

Breathe. Try again. These chains were starting to steal my breath.

This was the cost. Each chain forged by choosing my own way.

Try breathing again.

At first it was easy. I did what I wanted and my chains were light.
Each time I pleased myself, or lifted myself a new link was forged.
The very things I took pleasure in doing were the very things killing me.

Struggling to breathe.

I can not pay the price for this. The debt is much too great.
I must call on the one who has offered to take my chains.

I Cried out.
A long and pitiful Cry.

Struggling for the strength to say, “Help me! Forgive me I can bear these chains no more.”

With that I fell to the ground. The weight of the chains, too much to bear.

Footsteps.

A voice.

“The chains will only come off when you give them to me.”

One by one he took my chains. With each one he put on, the weight became less.
Then he took the final one.

“What have you done?” I asked now standing looking upon him for the first time. “Why are you wearing my chains?

“It is finished,” then he breathed his last.

I stumbled away toward the light that was shining on me. What have I done?
This man did nothing. I had committed those wrongs

Closer to light. Was the light a man? Or a man the light?

My vision cleared as I received sight.
It was he who had removed my burden.

“But how?”

He smiled, “Come and see, I am alive”

Alive. I had just seen him die?

“I took your chains. I paid the price. I took on your sin and you took on life.”

“Lord!” I fell in his arms and he caught me. I was forgiven and free.

“Come,” he said, “and follow me.”