Not exempt

Not immune from trials and temptations,
and from denigrations or contempt,
from abuse, from slander and frustrations,
Christians, alas, are not exempt.

No one from heroes of the Bible
did escape the times of some test,
be it grief, betrayal, or a libel,
which could prove their faith' strength and zest.

Life isn't just a smooth existence:
all have problems - elderly and youth.
Training us in patience and resistance,
it's a fight for righteousness and Truth.

Not a bed of roses, softly cushioned,
but a life, which by love inspires.
Difficulties, sorrows, persecutions
turn us into people God desires.

That is why all difficulties, pain
have a purpose, shaping our souls -
to remove all dross, our thinking vain, 
changing our character and goals.

But for whims and frivolous caprices
God exhibits often a deaf ear.
When the Lord His powers releases,
it's for us to pray and draw near.

Our Lord the Father deeply cares,
going with us in every fire.
When we are distressed, Christ Jesus shares
our tears, never to retire.

Never to abandon or forget us, 
Jesus wants to teach us and instruct.
Everyone of us is His apprentice
in this world, so sinful and corrupt.

But He'll bring us safe, be assured,
and refined through the flames of pain,
by our experience matured,
to His home, where we'll remain.

There He will love on us bestow,
on His true believers, not on fakes.
There, in His Kingdom, there's no
sadness, no affliction, no aches.

Looking forward to the world without
all distress, but filled with love and light,
where Jesus reigns, I've no doubt,
everything is great in His sight.

21.11.2020