Buried in Years
My original plan was to just publish the poem, but after some thought, I think it might be good to give a little background.
As a pastor, one of the things I come into contact with on a regular basis is that of people living in the past. I have seen lives ruined because of the failure to step out of the past and into life. I have seen the chains of bondage wrapped so tightly that there seems to be no way to escape. However, God's Word says that "the truth will make you free." I have lived a few years of my life in the past and looking back I can see how wasted those years were. I have vowed never to be in bondage to the past again.
It breaks my heart when I see people holding on so tightly to ugly things that were, when there is so much beauty in things that are. God is the only One that can effectively wrap His arms around them and heal them. I understand the hurt that can cause us to hold on to the past. It is from that point of view that I offer this poem, Buried in Years. I also understand though that the power of God can set us free. If you are hurting today, I reach out to you. Feel free to email me if there is anything I can do. There is hope and as long as there is hope, God can work.
Buried in Years
Somewhere in the past
Clouded by time
Lies a memory
That once was mine
Clothed in months
And buried in years
The painful reason
For all the tears
That haunt your nights
And mock your days
Only now
Begin to fade
Until tomorrow
In the morning light
Adds more sorrow
To your plight
...Still...
Somewhere in the past
Trapped in time
Lies a dream
That once was mine.
There truly is freedom to break free. Jesus Christ is the answer. He had a tough past too. He left Heaven and all of its glory to come to this miserable, wretched earth for you and me. The holy God of Heaven in human form--Emmanuel, God with us came to die for us. You think you are not loved? Jesus loved you to death. You think you are worthless? Jesus paid the infinite price of divine blood for you. You think nobody cares? Christ cares above all that you can dream about. Christ is the answer to all your tears, all your broken dreams, all your failures.
Realize that today He wants to give you true peace, healing, and forgiveness. But you must come to Him on His terms. His terms are simply to accept His substitutionary death as payment for your sins. He rose again conquering death and sin once for all. He lives to give you abundant life. He lives to free you from the past.
Jesus Christ is not a prayer. He is not an add-on. He is a way of life, and if you make Him your way of life, I guarantee He will become your life. He will meet your needs. He will give you peace. He will help you through all of life's trials. But I am not suggesting that you take Him for selfish reasons. Take Him because He deserves your allegiance. Take Him because He is the God of Heaven and deserves our worship. Take Him simply because He is God.
