A Prodigal’s Progress

“It’s too late for me” is my lifetime cry

“Second tries aren’t possible” screams out the lie

Bitterness feels good, a drug that fills

It’s an unnatural high that quickly kills

I’ve sanctioned my actions, sold out to compromise

Defrauded my mind, it’s made me unwise

I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Amazing Grace

My life’s more about fear than wonder, such a disgrace

Children should learn, the world needs their illumination

My focus on “I” has muted a powerful generation

More for the rich, more for the strong

While I’m muting reality with another pop song

Prophets redundant in their admonition

Care for the poor, preaching repentance

I use up my resources without permission

While missing the point of true religion

Self-indulgence, greed, I easily meet

From the inner city down to Wall Street

Covet my neighbor, keeping track of what they own

My happiness is fragile, I don’t even know the Jones

Called to eternal reasons, called to bigger dreams

Called to deeper thinking, it’s harder than it seems

Obsessed with brief amusement, aiming so small

Bombarded by shallow living, succumbing to the fall

Far more powerful than we believe

Truth is, if I walk in, scarcity must leave

Cynicism rules the day, it has strangled our soul

Stops us from changing, it has taken its toll

Parched soil, empty bellies leads to much heartache

Many won’t eat today, while my plate is too great

I’m not here to manipulate, not here to coerce

But we’re missing opportunities to bless and not curse

I compromise with apathy, bragging I’m doing no harm

I do just enough, showing off my shallow charm

Justice is calling, it’s a Kingdom mandate

My comfort zone is charity, I’m missing my fate

The message is simple, it’s clear and concrete

My directive is obvious, overt, not discreet

Hand over my life, it’s the power of surrender

It’s about loving the least of these and a heart that is tender

It’s a prodigal’s progress, not sure I’ll ever arrive

But my Father tells me forgiveness is fully alive

It’s a prodigal’s progress, invited to a party I do not deserve

Purpose, joy and fulfillment comes for those who humbly serve

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’” Mother Teresa