I originally posted this poem to my summer outreach team blog a few months ago, but I wanted to share it here for two reasons.

First, I like it, I wrote it, and I wanted to encourage you with it.

Secondly, I wanted to use this opportunity to invite you to sow into my life by investing financially in my team. Our financial deadlines are fast approaching, and we could use your help! If you are able to help – either through prayer, or financially – feel free to check out the above link for more info. Here’s the poem 🙂

Away I go, away! Over the rolling sea, away to a far distant land, that calls and beckons me. Away to hottest desert! Away to shining sand! Away to an adventure, that God alone has planned. Leaving friends and homeland; away from kith and kin. Embarking on a journey to help the world see Him.

I loose the chains of apathy that have tightened ‘round my neck. I throw them far away from me; there is no going back. I say farewell to bondages, and temples that will not last. I choose to walk away from them; and my dimly lighted past.

The trivial trinkets of this world, made of lies that shimmer like glass, I shatter them with a mighty blow. This line they shall not pass. Gone are the days of ignorance, where my vision decides to lapse, I set my eyes on the prize ahead, there is no turning back.

The line, the line that I have made, resides no longer in the shade, because the things I used to crave, will lead me to an early grave.  The line, the line that I must cross, will seem unto my sin as loss, because I now must count the cost, before my sin becomes my boss.

This line I’ve crossed is treachery, to those who are too blind to see, caught in sin’s catastrophe, and blinded to their own disease. This line I’ve drawn, it makes no sense, to those among the forest dense, they deny the One, who gave them sense, to see beyond the present tense.

The line, the line, so sweetly sings, redemption’s song, the captive freed, it’s plucking up the poisoned seed, that left me begging for reprieve. This line, a standard I uphold, not simply for the brave and bold. It is a Word that I obey, an Invitation to the narrow way.

I’ve come to see my freedom, with a thankful heart I grasp; now I join together with a group to complete this task. Alone I am no longer, for I have found new friends, who have begun to truly see what this line represents. It represents a change of mind, with purpose and vision realigned, for the common purpose and endless goal of rescuing another soul.

We bind our hearts together, even in stormy weather; the word of God has tethered our lives in Him forever! This journey is not easy, but would we rather see; the fulfillment of our selfishness? Or the captive never freed? Combining unique talents, like many grains of sand, into a force to be reckoned with; defeating the enemy’s plans. As twelve mighty sojourners, with truth inside our hands, pressing forth into destiny as we possess the land.

We join ourselves together, in this common task; we step aside, and cross the line… There is no turning back.

© Conquering Kingdoms – 2013

© Shane Oberlin – 2013