Philippians 4:6-7 

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

On my own … without prayer

 

Draw a line in the sand as it goes into the water

To show the people I know, where to go, and where to be

The sword I carry all day long seems more like a pointer

The armor that I have on today is too heavy for me

 

I should have brought a wetsuit instead of a shield and helmet

My feet should be dressed in fins instead of shod with the gospel

The sword that’s in my hand I should exchange for an anchor

So I could plunge in the deep and rely on my strength and muscle

 

Someone walks up to me with a quiet smile on the shore

Asking what I’m doing with that armor on the ground

I explain patiently and hope he will get it for sure

I guess he has no clue and can’t see I am Heaven bound

 

He simply shakes his head and quietly mentions

Why not put up a sign saying: “Very dangerous”

And keep all the armor on without pretention

And take the safety of other lives more serious

 

Who does he think he is? Telling me what to do

Does he not know the bible and: “Love your neighbor”?

It seems so amazing that some don’t have a clue

What it’s like to work hard for the Lord and labor

 

Maybe I’ll search for an anchor and tie to my feet

I should be able to stay down long enough to breathe

That seems very reasonable and really kind of neat

But where to get all the weight to tie to my knees

 

I’ll tie the sword and shield and bind these with the girdle

What if I take the helmet and fill it full of stones

Won’t the Lord be happy when I clear this hurdle?

As to give it all I got as I won’t even moan and groan

 

Yes that is the answer, it must be Heaven sent

The Holy Spirit seems to guide my every thought

I’ll show the guy who’s waiting for me what I meant

That I have all the answers and I won’t be caught

 

So here I go again following my simple instinct

Down and down I go until I hit the bottom

Here I draw the short line as for air I’m gasping

Who will now cut the girdle? Gosh I feel rotten

 

The one who talked to me before is now swimming to me

He unties the girdle and guides me to the surface

He smiles and shakes his head, then lets me be

Leaving me all alone without armor and purpose

 

Now he’s walking back again and jumps in the water

He brings up the shield and sword, helmet and girdle

He puts these at my feet but does not go any farther

Then quietly walks off without a word or murmur

 

Jan Wienen