the mask

Do they see behind the mask?

So much darkness within
It rages to get out
I push it down but it rises again

What is true?
What is false?
What is sin?
What is accusation?
Give me light for the way

Anger welling up
Must keep it down.  Must keep it down
Tension building
Must keep it down.  Must keep it down
Must keep it inside
Must maintain the mask

The sad tense well in the guts
Make it go away.  Make it go away.
A bite of sweetness to ease the hole
Though I know it will make it worse
The disappointment
The shame
The hiding
Still it doesn't go away

Too hard to keep up the mask
So I retreat

One person saw through the mask though
He saw a crack in it
I let him in a little
And he didn't cause harm
Perhaps another day I lower the mask a little more

Only one life, 'twill soon be past

My friend Jess shared this poem a while ago.  As I read it again today I thought I'd share it with you too.

“Two little lines I heard one day, Travelling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervour burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

- C.T. Studd