Judgement

it’s over

only the Final Review remains

time has come to a stop

there is only the present

my "future" is to be judged by my past

death was but an instant

passing with a final breath

as quickly as light travels

now I must come before the Judge

the One who paid the Price for my
Salvation's possibility
He endured the
rigors of torment 

conquering death
offering New Life to
all who listened and
Chose to walk in His Ways

clearly written on our hearts by
nature's revelation and

Declared in His written Word...

my own response
now viewed only too clearly

began in childhood's fantasies
fervent imaginations
spurred by holy pictures
with rhyming bedtime prayers
laying me down to sleep...
teenage rebellion
loosened my footings
setting me upon wide paths
exploring delights
without pangs of deterrence...
career and marriage
brought a new seriousness
into perspective
children helped of course
somehow though
life got so busy
schedules
bills
marriage problems
job stress
kids in college...
my wife was always
the spiritual one
I would go to Church
but she took the lead
because she knew
I was never really
comfortable with it all
nor felt that connected but
I didn't fight it either

kind of 'go along to 

get along'...
I guess you might have
called me 'lukewarm'

but in my defense
I never really
heard what some people
have said was the
'Good News'
but I knew in the
back of my mind
that my Final Exam
would be on

what I have done
both good and bad and

what I failed to do

I guess

that is only fair and just-

upon what else could I be judged?

I guess I could have done

things differently but

I lived my life the way I saw fit

no one forced me to act or not act

and when I regressed
it was up to me to
change or not
who twisted my arm?

no one

who forced me to turn back or not?

no one

if I continued acting in the same way

who compelled me?

no one

the choice was always mine

it was always that way
for me and for everyone

whoever I am
I chose freely to be
now
it's over

now
it's too late to change
who I am

looking back

I did became more resolute
chose to try harder
but

sometimes
I went

back and forth...then

suddenly...
I died...

and now?

Reflection/Discussion: 
-Describe the man portrayed in "Judgement".
-Do you think his life is a common experience? Why/not?
-How could it have been different?
-What does "lukewarm" mean in this context?
-What would you say to help him?
-How can we make sure that everyone hears the Good News?
-Why don't we talk about the last judgement?
-Why isn't the last judgement talked about in Church?
-How can the last judgement impact your daily life?
-What is the Lord saying to you through this poem?