These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Lauranelle: "Effort on the Upward Way"

The way seems long upon the road to Day.
Our hope is tested 'round each turn and bend.
At last we'll see the smile of Christ display.

With effort we seem bent our strength to lend,
forgetting Jesus shed His Blood for us
to cause the chasm's rift with God to mend.

Our Sin has rendered efforts worthless thus.
This Christ redeemed us from eternal loss.
His goodness for our bad. Now Mercy's just.

To spend one Friday on a cruel cross
shows greater love than human heart can know.
The smelter's pot has burned away the dross.

The Savior walked out from the grave to show,
that Death could never hold the Lord of all.
Now, sinners may be made as white as snow.

Our efforts now obey the Savior's call
in gratitude for He has saved from sin.
We give to Him our lives, each part, our all.

These efforts on the upward way in joy
show happy children in the Lord's employ.
The way seems long upon the road to Day.
At last we'll see the smile of Christ display.

by Jay O'Toole
on August 30th, 2019