The Light

(A Long Agonizing Conversion. Out of the dark forbidding night, I Struggle now to see the light. I never felt this way before, Loved the lair of darkness more. Was careful in nothing, no good to see, No miserable longing nagging me, Then, out of the past in agonizing flight, Out of the deep I search for sight. What roused me in my dark domain, And showed me that the light was gain? Who made me desire this other way, Through pain into the light of day? With knowledge comes uneasy dread, And regret 'bout the place I fled. Things have gotten complicated now, Rending my heart and furrowing my brow. Self love is such a natural thing, No concern for sin the heart to wring. Grief for sin, I've come to know, In this vile vale of tears below. Might I find a way of relief, From this unexpected pit of grief? This struggle out is laid on me; I had no thought the light to see. Seems, like a bull, I am turned this way, As a pull on the rein comes into play. With my old will I would refuse, This shaft of shining light to choose. Why has God's power upset my way, Remolding me as a piece of clay: Turning about my heart and mind, Into some calm and caring kind? Is there a purpose in all of this, A value to gain and a loss to miss? Is good reason given to me at last, A way of emergence from my past? Finally my sight emerges clear, And I begin to lose my fear, Oh, what a gift; the gift of sight With thankful heart, I embrace the light. This change of heart was born in me, A hope of Jesus the Christ to see. I'll no longer covet a life of ease, Some foolish way myself to please. Because an eternal joy will come, When this earthly life is gone. Stay with the light whatever the cost, Rejoice in God's saving of the lost. For the sight of Christ upon the Cross, Shows great gain comes at great cost. So with the light, will come the pain, But, oh the wonder of the gain. "Light came into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19 "But ye are a chose generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." I Peter 2:9