How Close Will You Get
HOW CLOSE WILL YOU GET?
There was a man who wanted someone to drive him ‘round
The hills and lanes and corners there in the little town.
And so he ran a want ad to hire someone one day,
“I want to hire a driver to take me on my way.”
He waited for the answers in his house upon the hill,
And one by one they came there to try this job to fill.
Now this old man was living not far from a steep cliff,
So as he talked to each man, this question he went with:
“You see that cliff out yonder? I want to know how near
You’d drive my fancy carriage without a single fear.”
The first said, “I can take it within just ten short feet.”
“I’ll let you know,” he answered, “when my interviews are complete.”
The second said, “Just five feet’s how close that I can go.”
And once again he answered, “Good-bye, I’ll let you know.”
The third man was most daring as he portrayed his skill,
“I’ll come within just one foot of that steep rugged hill!”
The old man was impressed, but did not decide just yet,
And one more man was questioned to see how close he’d get.
The final man was summoned, and after he walked in
And he was asked that question, this driver said to him,
“Sir, I’m not going to try it to see how close I’d go;
It’s not that I am fearful or driving do not know,
But I feel it is safer to stay as far away
From there as I can drive you; that’s all that I can say.”
“You’re hired!” the old man shouted, “you start for me today!
I wanted one who’d keep me as far as he could stay
From that old cliff so rugged, lest he should lose control
And plunge my carriage over that rocky, rugged knoll.”
This story has a lesson on how we live our life
And fight the devil daily with all his tempting strife.
He lures us with life’s pleasures to see how far we’ll go
Before we stop and realize the sad, impending woe.
We’re better if we travel far from that rugged hill
And stay close to the Saviour and try to do His will.
The key to righteous living is not to take a bet
And gamble with the devil on just how close we’ll get
Without a sin or stumble and still control our life;
It isn’t worth the gamble, it isn’t worth the strife.
Just do like that one driver and vow to God today,
“Lord, I’m not going to fail You, see how far I can stray.
I’ll do my best to serve You with every day I live;
I’ll stay close to You, Saviour, my all to You I’ll give.”
Copyright © Clarence Billheimer | Year Posted 2021
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