by Dave Schultz
The History of the Christian Church
Whispers of heroes with surprising faith...
Hidden acts of sacrifice and kindness...
A new flag raised from a nation’s memories...
Sudden revelation of secrets deep...
Wisdom surpassing all human learning...
An army sent to win the world with love.
The cross, the symbol of God’s perfect love,
clutched fast in cold hands by those slain in faith...
Old monasteries, centers of learning
that preserved the records of Christ’s kindness...
The Holy Word, that links us to the deep
past, when witnesses wrote firsthand memories.
Criminals, no more bound by sin’s memories...
Newborns, bathed in grace and swaddled in love...
Missionaries who brave the raging deep...
Country preachers, working healings by faith...
Church widows, baking cookies with kindness...
Future Elijahs, busily learning.
Brand new believers, happily learning
God’s will, keeping Christ’s words in their memories...
Young children, flashing bright eyes of kindness
and singing God’s praise with holiest love...
Small scattered churches, fed solely on faith,
surviving poverty by digging deep.
All this, yet our history is not as deep
as it shall be: A time comes when learning
will be put to the test, when just our faith
will remain--when peace and safety shall be memories,
when hate and torment shall make it seem Love
has grown cold, and death shall seem a kindness.
Then we will know God’s ultimate kindness.
Caught up in the air, we will see how deep
is mercy, feel how true are grace and love.
As the world ends, and with it man’s learning,
all our works and struggles shall be memories,
when we meet God and sing the song of faith.
The church took root in stark memories and wild faith,
grows strong by learning patience and kindness,
and will soon be shown the deep mysteries of love.
