Obedience

I said: “Let me walk in the fields.”
He said: “No, walk in the town.”

I said: “There are no flowers there.”
He said: “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said: “But the skies are black. There is nothing but noise and din.”

And He wept as He sent me back.
“There is more,” He said, “There is sin.”

I said: “But the air is thick and fogs are veiling the sun.”

He answered: “Yet souls are sick and souls in the dark undone!”

I said: “I shall miss the light and friends will miss me, they say.”

He answered: “Choose tonight if I am to miss you or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given.
He said: “Is it hard to decide?"

"It will not seem so hard in heaven to have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the fields then set my face to the town.

He said, “My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

Then into His hand went mine and into my heart came He;

And now I walk in a light divine, The path I had feared to see.

(Written by George MacDonald (1824-1905), an inspiration to many notables who came after him.)