The Wanderer in the Valley of Vision [Christian Poetry] (Full Manuscript)

To what have I bound myself to?

To what have I bound myself to
That I should wear it and prize?
I have not considered; I am a fool
That I should embrace this as mine

It is a death symbol; do I understand
The weight of meaning before me?
What does it mean for mortal man
That he should treasure it and cling?

The hangman's noose is the necklace I wear!
The scourging whips my flowing hair!
The water that drowns is the air I breathe!
My pillow, the block; my bed the guillotine!

Have I considered to what I have bound myself to?
Do I still so easily accept it to wear as my jewels?
This instrument of death that gave life to me
This place of torture that took away my suffering?

It sings of life, yet it also calls to death!
Do I so willingly sing its songs with my breath?
To what have I bound myself to
That I have joined hands so quickly, so soon?

It has become meaningless for I deny its power
Accepting only that which suits me this hour
Let me tremble in fear and terror before I touch again
His blood as my wine, His body as my bread!

It is a call to follow Him!
The cross! The communion! These sanctities from sin!
Bound not only to His life, but also to His death!
That I should share in His sufferings along with His rest

I doubt whether I can still accept and wear these
To chain myself to His cause and throw away the key
I want only His life, yet He is asking for my death
It was for this reason He saved and gave His Spirit's breath

Let me shake and tremble as I ought to do!
To consider to what I have bound myself to
It is a veil that conceals the privilege
Of being like Him, walking in His steps

He laid down the example
So yes; let it be our treasure still
That we should count the cost
It heavily taxes and yet fulfills
A pearl of price that is greater than all of this life

Indeed, it is a privilege to which we are called
Bound to Him in everything; our All in all
Let us accept this wonderful paradox the world cannot understand
It shines as powerful love in this world
Glorious in His plan