> The Wounded

> 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
>