The road called life

A man walked down the road called life

He schooled himself well, got a job, and a wife

To them three children soon did come

Two lovely daughters and a handsome son

It seemed to all who were able to see

This wealthy man was happy as could be

To the eye ‘twas true what the people did find

But what they could not see was inside his mind

He longed for something no money could buy

Something precious and larger than sky

He couldn't quite place his finger on it

So on a bar stool this fellow did sit

And while he wondered what it could be

The bartender gave him a drink for free

"One would be fine," he assured with a grin

But after few his head did spin

All the anger and worry he felt

Roared out his mouth as he loosened his belt

"I have all the things most will ever get

But still I find I'm not content yet

Please tell me kind sir," he said to man,

"What I am missing. That is if you can"

The reply was a smile and a pat on the back,

"It is Jesus, my friend, your heart does lack."

"Jesus," he questioned, “the one they call God"

Again the reply was simply a nod

"Tell me where He is that my life may be complete"

"In order to find Him you must kneel at His feet"

"I kneel for no one," the man did chide

It was the devil who had brought on this pride

"I own a house, a car: I have a life of my own,

You can tell your friend Jesus to leave me alone!"

And so he left the tavern too drunk to walk

And for lack of anything else to do… he began to talk

"They think that I will kneel, a man of such good standing

This whole idea of Jesus is quite far too demanding

If this man they call Christ would like to meet with me,

I'll gladly sit with him and have a cup of tea.

But kneel, no never, not as long as I live

I've given everything required to give

I support my wife, I put food on the table

I've given my family a life that is stable

Among men I stand tall, I'm second to none

So how can He say that He's number one?"

While he was talking he happened not to see

A branch that was hanging from a rather large tree

And so he stumbled and hit his head

If you didn't know better you'd think he was dead

It was not yet dark but he saw a star

One that seemed close but yet it seemed far

And when he had thought he had lost all his might

He was helped up by a man who was dressed in white

"Are you alright," he said and called him by name

"Yes I'm fine, thank you. It is I who’s to blame

You see, I was drinking at a pub down the way

For one drink too many this is the price that you pay."

Then puzzled he looked at this stranger here now

You could tell he was thinking by the bend in his brow

"Kind sir if you would, could you say who you are?

Our journey has started and yet is still far"

"You've met me before," said the man dressed in white

"As a matter of fact you were looking for me tonight"

"I don't recall looking for anyone

But that doesn't matter our journey's begun"

Then the two began walking and talking about life

All of its misery and all of its strife

But the stranger just smiled and assured it would end

And the man, though still drunk, trusted this friend

"Your problem," he said holding him up,

"Is that you refuse to drink from my cup"

When he heard what was said, he felt it was true

So he asked again, "Just who are you?"

But instead of an answer he told him a story

One that spoke of heavenly glory

The liquor he had was now wearing off

He said, "Excuse me" as he let out a cough

"Strange friend let me tell you that I'm a good man.

Each day of my life I try the best that I can.

But still it seems that as much as I find

I haven't yet found peace of mind.

You seem to me to know a few things

About living your life and the pleasure it brings

So tell if you will the things that are true

For I'm certain my friend that I'll believe you"

These words brought pleasure to the man standing there

They sounded so sweet, so grateful, so fair

"Do you know friend," said the man with a smile,

"You become smarter with each passing mile"

And so the man began to tell

About living water and a living well

He spoke of humility, service and love

He told of all things that had come from above

He gave the man hope with the words he did say

He did all of this as they walked on their way

Not once did the man dare interfere

For he felt in his heart these words were sincere

All he did was listen and try to take in

The concept this man had told him was sin

He could not believe he was guilty of it

And the last place he was going was down in a pit

But as his friend spoke of the house he had built

He became overcome with this feeling of guilt

"I'm sorry kind sir that I dare interrupt!

I know that my statement might seem quite abrupt

But as you spoke I was pricked in the heart

I feel that my life needs a new start

Until this moment I could have sworn

It was only once a man could be born

But now I know what I didn't know then

For a man to find life he must be born again!"

And then though he was happy his eyes poured out tears

As he realized what he was missing all of those years

"Please excuse me if this seems an odd thing to do

But I have a desire to surrender to you

A feeling I haven't felt since I was a young boy

But to my life you have brought such joy"

And then on his heart he felt a tug

So he threw up his arms and gave him a hug

"I'm sorry!" he yelled, "Forgive me oh God

Lead me now with your staff and your rod!

To you I now give my life as you see it

Caught up in this world I ask you to free it

Take me oh Lord and make me brand new

Mold me and shape me to be just like you"

"My son," he said, "your prayer has been heard

Now go to your family and give them the Word"

The man became dizzy and just barely heard what he said

The next thing he knew he was at home and in bed

"How did I get here? Where is that man?"

"Quiet," said his wife," try to rest if you can"

So he closed his eyes and soon was at rest

And while in his slumber dreamt of his guest

When he awoke he felt something strong

It was what he had been looking for all along

"Salvation has come to this house today!"

This he cried as he kneeled down to pray.

And that man you know the same from the bar

Never forgot how he traveled so far

A man given to pride who always felt he was right

Was completed changed in only one night

And though through the years he would sometimes forget

The Lord had a place at the table still set

And whenever that man felt too tired to fight

Christ would remind him about that night

"I will never leave you," he would gently say

"Now take some time to sit and pray"

This he soon found was his daily bread

This allowed him to by the Spirit be led

Since then this man has left this place

And is one so lucky as to see His face

But with us he left a story to be told

"When it comes to Jesus, You are never too old"

 SDG