FEAR AND FAITH

FEAR IS LIKE A WILD ANIMAL,
STALKING ME,
THE ROARING LION,
THE WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING.

FAITH IS LIKE A GENTLE LAMB,
WOOING ME,
THE LAMB WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD,
THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
I MUST CHOOSE----

WILL I TRY TO FIGHT THE BEAST ALONE?
OR
SEEK THE SHELTER THE GOOD SHEPHERD OFFERS?

I KNOW THE SENSIBLE THING,
THE SMART THING.
SO WHY DO I CHOOSE THE FOOLISH THING
AND
LET THE WILD ANIMAL TERRORIZE ME?

IS IT BECAUSE FEAR SCREAMS
AND FAITH GENTLY WHISPERS?
IS IT BECAUSE FEAR COMES ON SUDDENLY
AND
FAITH IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME TO GRASP,
ALWAYS THERE TO TAME THE WILD BEAST?

OH LORD, FILL ME WITH FAITH!
FEAR AND FAITH CANNOT LIVE TOGETHER,
SO I MUST HOLD FAITH CLOSE,
FOR FEAR FLEES FROM WHERE FAITH RESIDES.

© 1987 by
Linda Knox Rubenack