For Rowdy Christians Everywhere

by Dave Schultz

First Steps of Faith

  From the simple knowledge there is something greater,

  from the first moment we cease to trust in ourselves,

  everything begins at once to draw us towards God.

  We do not approach by ritual or practice,

  but after seeking privately through love and hope,

  faith falls upon us with the suddenness of night.

  Then from the timid uncertainty of night

  we are born instantly into something greater,

  brighter, a place in the soul filled with shining hope,

  the promise of things we could not achieve ourselves.

  The righteousness that cannot be gained by practice

  is given freely through Christ the Son of God.

  We bow before the Almighty, the true God,

  with songs of praise in the noontime and prayers in the night.

  May continual worship become our practice.

  Such honor befits “That than which nothing greater

  can be conceived.” With nothing to give but ourselves,

  we yield our hearts, our minds, our souls, to Christ our hope.

  No further harm may befall those who have this hope,

  no fear for those whom Christ has reconciled to God.

  Though for His glory we try to improve ourselves,

  we are upheld if we should stumble in the night--

  helped by Christ, whose purifying blood is greater

  than all our sacrifices, efforts and practice.

  “Mere superstition”, “An antiquated practice”:

  These are the taunts of those who know nothing of hope.

  Of late their ranks swell, and their voice has grown greater,

  shouting “Faith is myth” and “Man invented God”--

  though none say which man breathed life, or made day and night.

  ...And yet we think no less of them than of ourselves!

  As they are, so were we, ere we committed ourselves

  to Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in solemn practice

  of this our faith. We fast this day and pray this night

  that these too might find room in the Kingdom of Hope,

  and in the knowledge of our all-powerful God--

  by first humbling themselves to seek someone greater.

  Those who will practice humility will meet God.

  To those who search day and night he will reveal hope--

  And that not of ourselves, but in One far greater.