A more adequate way

I once heard a message preached straight to my heart

Of repentance, forgiveness of sins.

Convicted of guilt, my eyes were cast down

As I pleaded for mercy from Him.

Forgiveness was sweet and my burden did lift,

Blessed peace I now knew with my Lord;

But under the white of my new Righteous robe

Filthy hands could not be ignored.

I could not lift my eyes as I drew near to Him,

Clinging sin kept me from His embrace;

Convicted of guilt, my eyes were cast down

And the tears rolled unchecked down my face.

I then heard a message preached straight to my heart

Of baptism in Spirit and fire.

And as Holy flames burned deep in my soul,

Hesitantly my gaze lifted higher.

For the old was now gone, a new creation was come,

Filthy hands washed clean in His blood!

My burden once lifted – now it was gone,

My guilt washed away by the flood.

So now that I'm learning a more adequate way

I gaze into His eyes by pure grace,

Raised up in His presence, unable to speak,

And the tears roll unchecked down my face.

"A Father's Delight" by Kae Mentz © Used with permission