Lucy Wall from Calvary London on Vimeo.
By Lucy Wall
This poem describes one particular day in my life during the summer of 2014. I had some important auditions coming up and so was on my way to a singing lesson with lots of material to learn when the inspiration for this poem was brought into my life. My hope and prayer is that these words may speak to the heart of anyone who is yet to know Jesus as their personal Saviour.
Awoken from a blissful sleep, I groan and turn away.
Before me lie the challenges of yet another day.
Never one for mornings, my eyelids feel quite stuck
But I've over used the "Snooze" alarm and so I must get up!
My day begins with old routines and soon I'm out the door,
Plough headlong into battle with the London crowds galore!
The siren of an ambulance goes screaming down the street
As I duck and weave my way around a million pairs of feet.
With people from all walks of life and faces from each nation
I run this crazy gauntlet as I journey to the station.
I pause to find my platform and then scurry off again,
I swiftly swipe my Oyster Card and jump aboard the train.
I inwardly rejoice at empty seats to sit upon
And feel I've won a prize to find the air conditioning on!
With closing doors and whistle blows, we slowly pull away.
A gentle sigh escapes my lips as I escape the fray.
Before too long I'm taking in the views of London scenes,
The building sites and rows of houses crammed in like sardines.
Noticing with interest as I'm peering through the glass,
Those blessed few with garden space! A patch of muddy grass.
Yes London can be costly but it has so much to give!
A bitter sweet existence in the town I choose to live.
A melting pot where people come, pursuing hopes and dreams.
I too arrived with starry eyed ambition in my teens.
The life that I have led, I wouldn't trade it for another
For the city kept it's promise though we sometimes hate each other!
Rich with opportunities where prices are insane,
The pace of London life not far behind my speeding train!
An automated voice declares we've reached my destination
And so I disembark and make my way out of the station.
My mind already racing with the tasks I must recall
And this is when I notice her, a woman on a wall.
She sits with no companion with a blank look on her face.
She silently observes the street while sitting in her place.
Her day is quite in contrast to the hubbub of the city.
My curiosity awakes with sorrow more than pity.
I realise with sadness there's a fact I can't ignore;
I've made this journey several times and seen her there before.
No matter what the time of day or if it's rain or shine,
Her days are spent upon this wall. She sits there all the time.
I struggle with this thought for when I look at her I see
A fellow human being. She's a woman, just like me.
We may have different histories but now our journeys meet.
Today our paths have crossed for we're both here on this street.
I don't know if she had a dream or plan for life at all
But I don't believe she hoped to spend her days upon this wall.
Who knows the details of the maze that led her to this place.
I think of what I'd say if we were talking face to face.
I'd like to say hello to you, enquire how you are.
I'd ask you what your name is and if you've come from far.
I'd listen to your story, all the things you'd have me hear.
The journey of your life so far and how you've ended here.
I wouldn't want to patronise or say things to offend,
I'd ask you out of interest and approach you as a friend.
We'd have a conversation where no judgement would be found,
I'd share with you the simple truth that turned my life around.
The truth that pulled me from despair and filled my heart with hope,
That showed me what life's meaning is and gave me strength to cope.
The news that set my spirit free, released my soul from strife.
The truth that Jesus has a plan and purpose for each life!
You may have heard His name before and think it's just a "hook"
But I'd speak about our God and ask you take a second look.
Our time on Planet Earth is not a "cosmic accident."
The day we're born is planned by God and not coincident!
To know our Maker means that we need never feel alone.
Do you know that Jesus formed you in the secret place unknown?
Created in His image, you're His special work of art!
His fingerprint within, He signed His name upon your heart!
You're made because God loves you and has plans for you to do
And not only were you made by Him but made for Jesus too!
Created so that you could spend eternity with Him!
Would you let the greatness of His love transform your heart within?
Deep down perhaps you wish to be the best that you can be.
The gateway to that life is God and Jesus holds the key!
He knows your capabilities, your strengths and talents too.
With Christ your skills will flourish for He gave those gifts to you!
I'd speak about His grace and how He died to save us all.
I'd share with you His Gospel as we'd sit upon the wall.
I'd talk about the love He's shown by dying on the Cross,
The vict'ry He achieved for us I couldn't get across!
For now no matter what we've done, no matter where we've been,
We all can find forgiveness and the slate can be wiped clean!
No "scrubbing up" is needed or "disguise" to make us "ready."
We can't disappoint or shock Him for He knows it all already!
We needn't feel unworthy to approach His Holy Throne
For He waits with open arms to welcome all His children home.
I'd tell you this with confidence, with no uncertainty.
I know that this is true because it's what He did for me.
I'd ask if you could start again would you seize the chance?
Would you open up to something new and maybe change your stance?
Perhaps you're quite content and would't want to change a thing
Or maybe you would love to see the wonders He can bring.
No problem is too big for God, no circumstance too bleak.
He can turn your life around, provide the answers that you seek.
I'd ask you if there's anything that's standing in your way
And then I'd ask you let it go and give your heart today!
This world can't offer anything that takes the place of Him,
No drink or drugs or fancy cars can fill that void within.
When I began to look to God, responding to His call,
I battled with my fears and doubts and wrestled with them all.
I thought of all the worldly things that held my admiration
But realised they were not worth the trade of my salvation!
The treasures of this fallen world will only leave you empty.
They cannot buy eternal life where blessings flow aplenty!
I may not know of your concerns but one thing is the same,
Our God above is calling you and Jesus is His name!
He longs to set you free, you won't be caged in by "religion."
A personal relationship with Jesus is His vision!
The thought of change is daunting or to know where to begin
But give your heart to Jesus and then trust the rest to Him.
Who knows the plans He has for you but whether big or small,
He'll fill your life with purpose and He'll guide you through it all.
He sees the possibilities, the doors He can unlock.
Instead of bricks and mortar set your life upon the Rock.
Make this day a special day, a day you won't forget
When you made the best decision. It’s a choice you won't regret.
His power could transform you if you'd only let Him in.
Your life so dear He died for you now will you live for Him?
Of course I've only pictured how our conversation goes.
Would you want to sit and chat to me? Only Jesus knows.
My tasks today demand I dwell no longer on this street,
Perhaps I'll get to share these words next time our journeys meet.
I'll pray He might prepare you to respond to Jesus' call
And thank the Lord He led me to the woman on the wall.
2 Corinthians 6:2
"For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Psalm 139:13-16
"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skilfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."
Psalm 95:7-8
"For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness."
Psalm 119:73
"Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments."
1 John 4:19
"We love Him because He first loved us."
Romans 5:6-10
"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone will even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (Jesus speaking)
John 15:16
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
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