Half the misery in the world comes

from trying to look,

instead of trying to be,

what one is not.

 

~ George MacDonald

 

 

Is the back as tidy as the front,

the inside as clean as the out?

Is that which is seen true and real

or the opposite of what I feel?

Do I say one thing but do another?

Is my heart truly for my brother?

Do I love those sent my way

or judge them with the words I say?

Do my actions release His peace

while my words bring chaos and dis-ease?

Is my worship an expression of my love

or just lip-service glorifying no one?

Are my offerings freely given,

or do I begrudge them and am indifferent?

 

A man's heart is a confusing maze

filled with hatred one day.

Another, filled with praise.

Who can discern, can fully comprehend

his heart's own subtle nuances?

What a puzzling treasure to defend!

 

Takes greater hands than our own,

a greater love than what is known

to rise to the task

and keep our heart safe until the last.

 

Did not He who made the outside

make the inside too?

Does He not love and cherish

and know us through and through?

Can the Creator not keep the Created

safe and true?

 

If not, then we are utterly lost.