Obedience

OBEDIENCE

I said, "Let me walk in the fields."
He said, "Nay, walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there."
He said, "No flowers, but a crown."


I said, "But the sky is black;
There is nothing but noise and din."
But he wept as He sent me back;
"There is more," He said; "there is sin."


I said, "But the air is thick,
And the fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet hearts are sick,
And souls in the dark undone."


I said, " I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered me, "Choose tonight
If I am to miss you, or they."


I pleaded for time to be given;
He said, "Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide."


I cast one look at the fields,
Then set my face to the town;
He said, "My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"


Then into His hand went mine,
And into my heart came He;
And I walk in the light divine
The path I had feared to see!

~George MacDonald