BLESS OR IMPRESS?

Bless or Impress?©️

I brought my latest work of art:
My masterpiece; wow! – It looked the part
Of this, I was truly proud
I presented it to the crowd.

Then I heard a gentle whisper,
“Come, take a look in the Word’s mirror.
This is where the pruning starts.
Let’s discern the intent of your heart.”

What have you been doing?
Whose honour have you been pursuing?
Did you inspire others to devotion?
Or just stir up their emotions?

What have you done with your platform?
How have you ushered in God’s kingdom?
For their souls did you really care?
Or did you just want the ‘likes’ and ‘shares’?

What was it that fuelled your quest?
What made you give time to invest?
Was your motive to truly bless,
Or were you really trying to impress?

What was your drive as a steward?
What were you seeking as a reward?
Was it to lift up Jesus’ name?
Or was it all about your own fame?

What did you do to bear good fruit?
What did you do to care for your roots?
Was your aim the truth to present,
Or was it to get many comments?

So many come working in My name
But at the end what will remain?
Will you hear “Well done, you’ve been faithful and true”
Or will it be “Sorry, I never knew you?”

I look into God’s mirror
That alone makes me wise
And as I behold His holy Word
The scales fall from my eyes

Woe is me, I am undone!
What have I allowed my works to become?
Lord, please cleanse me from within.
Oh, thoroughly purge me of this sin.

Lord, this cycle I must never repeat.
Please, help me restart on a fresh clean sheet.
Oh Lord, forgive me, I am truly sorry.
May I never try to take Your glory.

Listen son, you must realise,
It’s those I love that I chastise.
Look here daughter, can you see?
By faith alone you can please Me.

Oh Lord, thank You for correcting me.
I bow my heart in humility.
From self-seeking pride, I now repent.
You search the heart and the intent.

Help me never to seek my own applause,
But to serve only for Christ’s cause.
As a steward, I must be found faithful.
Through Your grace alone Lord, I am able.

I bring my latest work of art,
Seeking to please my Father’s heart.
And that my steps should not falter,
I place it upon heaven’s altar.

If this offering burns to ashes, so be it.
I’d rather have the real than the counterfeit.
If it comes out refined like gold from God’s fire,
This alone the hearts of man can inspire.

Yes, now I understand John 15:2.
And Lord I seek to please You.
Every unfruitful branch you take away;
I learn this lesson afresh today.

And every branch that bears fruit,
Lord, You surely prune.
So to bear fruit that pleases You,
Lord, I now resume.

Bless or Impress©️2021 Leah Akinlonu
Pilgrims’ Poems