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The Library

I don't know how it happened, 
There's no explanation;
It was to be a routine 
Bypass operation.

But my heart couldn't take it; 
I know the doctors tried
Desperately to bring me back 
The moment that I died.

But I found myself floating, 
Drifting farther away;
I would not have expected
My life to end this way.

I was drawn toward a light, 
Gentle and exciting;
It's strangely familiar call 
Was more than inviting.

But after I had entered, 
I found myself alone.
In the most peculiar place 
That I have ever known.

I was in a library, 
Dimly lit and quite cold;
Many books adorned the walls, 
Some were new, others old.

The books were dedicated
To chapters from my life.
Each paragraph exposed me 
And cut me like a knife.

There were volumes related
To selfish transgressions.
On these pages were printed
My darkest confessions.

Then I came across a book 
Which shared my righteous acts;
With only fifteen pages 
Devoted to those facts.

I lowered my head in shame, 
Then took a long, sad look.
In all of the library, 
This was the smallest book.

Accounts of my trespasses 
Were scattered all around;
And I wished I'd had a match, 
To burn it to the ground.

This library distressed me, 
And all the tomes therein.
A convicting expose,
Of a life filled with sin!

I tried to find an exit,
A way out of this place,
But there was no escaping
The truth of my disgrace.

And that is when I saw Him, 
Like a star burning bright;
I feared I might be blinded 
By His heavenly light.

He took a book from the shelf 
And then started to read.
I asked Him not to view it, 
Then I began to plead.

But He kept right on reading 
Tears flowing from His eyes;
Until He'd read every book, 
Then each one, He revised.

I watched Him remove my name; 
Replace it with His own,
I said; Lord those are my sins, 
The guilt is mine alone.

He said, "This is why I died, 
And why I had to live.
I will wipe away your guilt; 
Your sins, I will forgive."

Then He smiled and embraced me 
And I knew it was true.
He said, "Come and see the place 
That I've prepared for you."

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