Amen
Creative Commons License photo credit: millicent_bystander

When I became a Christian, I said “Lord, now fill me in.
Tell me what I’ll suffer in this world of shame and sin”.
He said, “Your body may be killed & left to rot and stink,
do you still want to follow me?” - I said, “Amen… I think…”

“I think Amen, Amen I think, I think I say Amen…
I’m not completely sure, could we just run through that again?
You say my body may be killed & left to rot and stink.
Well yeah that sounds terrific Lord… I say Amen, I think.”

“But Lord there must be another way to follow you”, I said.
“I really would prefer to end up dying in my bed.”
“Well yes,” He said, “you could put up with sneers and scorn and spit.
Do you still want to follow me?” I said, “Amen… a bit…”

“…a bit Amen, Amen a bit, a bit I say Amen.
Hey look I’m not completely sure, could we just run through that again?
You say that I could put up with sneers and scorn and spit.
Well yes, I’ve made my mind up and I say Amen… a bit.”

Well, I sat back and I thought a while and I tried a different ploy.
“Now Lord,” I said, “The good book says that Christians live in Joy.”
“That’s true,” He said, “you’re going to need the joy, to bear the pain and sorrow.
So do you want to follow me?” - I said “Amen… tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll say it then, that’s when I’ll say Amen.
You see I’ve got to get it clear, could we just run through that again?
You say that I will need the Joy to bear the pain and sorrow.
Well yes, I think I’ve got it straight. I’ll say Amen tomorrow.”

He said, “Look, I’m not asking you to spend an hour with me -
a quick salvation sandwich and a cup of sanctity.
The cost is you, not half of you, but every single bit.
Now do you want to follow me?” - I said, “Amen…no. I quit.”

“I’m very sorry Lord,” I said, “I’d like to follow you,
but I don’t think religion is a manly think to do.
He said, “Forget religion then’ and think about my son.
You tell me if you’re man enough to do what He has done.”

“Are you man enough to see the need and man enough to go?
Man enough to care for those that no one wants to know?
Are you man enough to say things that people hate to here
and battle through Gethsemane with loneliness and fear?”

“But listen, are you man enough to stand it at the end,
the moment of betrayal by the kisses of a friend?
Are you man enough to hold your tongue, man enough to cry,
and when the nails break your body, are you man enough to die?”

“Are you man enough to feel pain and wear it as a crown?
Man enough to love the world, and turn it upside down?
Are you man enough to follow me? I ask you once again.”
I said, “Oh Lord, I’m frightened.” - But I also said “Amen.”

“Amen, Amen, Amen” I said, “Oh Lord I’m so frightened” - But I also said, “Amen.”

By Adrian Plass

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