come truth seekers,
open the door of your life
to me,
this is my invitation;
i will not compel you,
my path is a choice,
open the door,
and new life will open to you,
i will
lead you on a path
of truth and grace,
a path of vision and hope,
a path of true freedom, where
for your souls delight
i will provide
the richest of food,
living water
and the choicest of wines...
i will hold you
on the rougher paths,
dance with you
when the going is smooth,
so come truth seekers,
open the door
my invitation is given,
open the door
come...
Matthew 28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
So why this poem?
So often I come across folk who hold a negative view of church for a variety of reasons, and I have to admit that some of those reasons are good. Christianity is a frightening mix of good and bad, so much has been carried out in God's name that must make God weep, and because folk sometimes struggle to see beyond the institution to the truth that is found in Jesus they reject him also. I love this depiction by Holman Hunt of the patient Jesus waiting and longing for that closed door to be opened so that we might discover in him not religious rules but unforced rhythms of grace.
