> The wounded soldier travels on the straight and narrow road > He
wishes he could find someone to help him bear his load > He had fought the
battle valiantly,he had served his Captain well > But he sustained much
damage before his enemy finally fell > > His sword was dull and
broken,his shield worn down and thin > His uniform was so tattered that it
barely covered him > His stomach aches with hunger,his lips are cracked
from thirst > But the lonliness he feels here cause an ache that hurts
much worse > > His burden slows his progress so,he feels that he
may fall > He wonders if the road he's on,is the right way after
all > He sees another road far off,that seems wider,safe and warm >
He wonders if he traveled there he'd find shelter from more harm >
> There seem to be so many there,he would never be alone > Not like
the road he's traveling,where his lonliness has grown > As his weakness
doubts & fear increase,he seeks a place of rest > He finds a tree
beside the road full of fruit & shelter blessed > > He reads
the map his Captain gave,when his journey first began > To see if he had
lost his way within this troubled land > The map confirmed this road would
lead him to the Promised land > But why it seemed so difficult he could
not understand > > Who will seek out the wounded?Who will answer
his call? > Who will comfort the wounded? Who.... is there no one at
all? > > He felthis strength returning as his wounds began to
heal > So he resumed his faithful journey with a new & hopeful
zeal > Then joyfully he saw them,marching by in perfect form > At
the sight of their appearance his heart began to warm > > Their
uniforms were impeccable,their swords appeared brand new > He wondered how
they had escaped all the battles he'd been thru > As they came near he
caled to them,excitement filled his voice > "Oh friends, I've been alone
so long, now I've reason to rejoice!" > > But as the turned to look
at him,their eyes filled with disgust > "How dare you think that one like
you could belong with ONES like us!" > "It's ones like you that
don't belong that cause us such disgrace!" > Their words like venom
pierced his heart,as tears flowed down his face > > "But WHY?" he
cried "What did I do to deserve such treatment friends?" > "Won't we all
arrive together when our faithful journey ends?" > Some dropped their
heads and walked
away,
>
Others' hearts puffed up with > pride,"What makes you think > That
one like you would even be allowed inside?" > > They attacked him
without mercy,throwing stones that beat him down > They scornfully reviled
him until he crumbled to the ground > As he fell they kicked him,he could
only cry out "WHY?" > But then the simply walked away and left him there
to die > > Who will seek out the wounded?Who will answer his
call? > Who will comfort the wounded?Who....is there no one at
all? > > He awoke in pain unequaled by any wound he'd ever
known > For these wounds had been inflicted by those whose captain was his
own > As he lay there in his weakness,he cried out in despair > "Is
there no one who will help me? Are there none who even care?" > >
His wounds began to fester as infection raged within > He cried out to his
Captain,"Can't YOU see the pain i'm in?" > He tried to stand but stumbled,
and as he fell he prayed, > "Oh Captain PLEASE,PLEASE send someone to help
me find the way!" > > Through his tear filled eyes he saw them,a
group of soldiers passing by > His heart was full of apprehension,dare he
hope they heard his cry? > As they came near he called to them in a quiet
timid groan, > "Has my Captain sent you here to help me find my way back
home?" > > Some pretended not to see him, others looked and walked
away > Many said,"Be warmed and filled, but we haven't time to
stay!" > Some said,"I'd really like to help but THEY might not
agree, > If THEY saw me with one like you THEY might do the same to
me!" > > Others passed and shook their heads and asked"What did you
do? > To deserve so great a punishment on such a lowly one as
you?" > He SCREAMED out in his agony,"Why must you add unto my
pain?" > I'm just a weak and weary soldier,how can my sorrow be your
gain?" > > Who will seek out the wounded? Who will answer his
call? > Who will comfort the wounded? Who...is there no one at
all? > > As they left him in his misery he was overwhelmed with
pain > Of such a deep intensity,he hoped he'd never feel again >
Away off in the distance, although he could barely see, > Was another
group of soldiers walking toward him steadily > > As they neared he
didn't call them,quietly he tried to hide, > He knew with perfect
certainty,another wound he'd not survive > He cried out as they approached
him,"Oh please just let me be! > I'll just wait here for my Captain until
HE sends someone for me!" > > Their eyes filled with compassion, as
they spoke with tender words, > "Do not fear poor wounded soldier, your
cries have all been heard." > Somehow they seemed familiar,was it
something in their eyes? > Or was it in the words they spoke? He could not
decide. > > As he looked at them he noticed,most of them were
wounded too > Some had scars from long ago and some were freshly
bruised > Most of them were limping,some could barely crawl, > And
they carried many wounded ones who couldn't move at all. > > Their
uniforms were tattered, damaged swords were sharp but worn > As he talked
with them he felt as if he'd met them all before > "I don't mean to seem
ungrateful,but i'm not sure i can see, > How ones like you would even try
to help someone like me?" > > Who will seek out the wounded?Who
will answer his call? > Who will comfort the wounded? Who...is there no
one at all? > > "Dear friend have you forgotten, have you been
alone so long? > That you don't recall HIS promise? IN OUR WEAKNESS HE IS
STRONG!!! > He has sent us out to find you,to bind up all your
wounds > You have been a faithful servant,He is pleased with ones like
you!" > > "We have oil and wine for healing,food and drink to
strengthen you, > We have water for your cleansing,we bring news from HIM
SO TRUE! > Our group is called "The Remnant"although weak,our numbers
few, > We are faithful to OUR CAPTAIN in our search for ones like
you." > > "Have you forgotten HIS appearance, all the pain and
wounds HE bore > He's acquainted with your sorrow, because HE walked this
road before." > As he listened he remembered, how his Captain's voice so
meek > Had instructed him to follow, even when he felt too weak >
> HE said HE'D not forsake him,or ever leave him on his own > HE
would always be beside him, even when he felt alone > As they talked with
him he realized the words they spoke were true > A familiar touch within
his heart, reminded him of ONE he knew > > Who will seek out the
wounded?Who will answer his call? > Who will comfort the wounded?Who...is
there no one at all? > Jesus will seek out the wounded.Jesus will answer
his call. > Jesus will comfort the wounded.Jesus will not let him
fall. > > "But what about the others I have met upon this
road? > Who caused more pain than my enemy,could their Captain be our
own?" > At his question sorrow filled his eyes,"Oh yes it's sad but
true, > They were sent out by OUR CAPTAIN, but not to trouble you >
> They've forgotten their commission and lost their way along this
road > And the walk that they have chosen is much harder than our
own > When they fall they'll feel forsaken,tho He'll never leave their
side. > He'll send ones like us to find them,to gently show the way that's
right > > With these words of hope to trust in all his wounds And
pain were healed > He continued on his faithful journey with his true
mission now revealed > If this story has disturbed you,it's because it
rings so true, > In the life of every Christian,which part is played by
you? > >
Written by >
Cheryl Joly >
August 1999 > >
_________________________________________________________________ > Cell
phone 'switch' rules are taking effect - find out more here. > http://special.msn.com/msnbc/consumeradvocate.armx >
