I received an e-mail one day from a dear Christian lady called Wendy, asking if I would pray for a friend of hers who was slipping away from life and didn’t know Jesus as her Saviour. I joined Wendy in praying for her friend and found myself asking the Lord to bring someone along who might minister to the woman in her last days.
The next day Wendy asked me if I had any poetry verses that may speak to her friend at that time. Immediately the first few verses from my poem “Wave Upon The Sand” came to mind and I sent them along to her but the thought came to me that it might be beneficial to have a poem that was specifically written for this kind of situation.
Straight away I pictured the words “Choose This Day” along with the image of a person sitting by the bedside of a loved one, reading a poem and sharing Jesus. I said to my husband Jan that I felt I needed to write a poem that could be used by Christians to bring the Gospel to those who are facing their mortality and don’t know Jesus as their personal Saviour.
I wrote this poem in three hours from start to finish that very same evening and sent it along to Wendy right away. I was very aware as I was writing that I wanted to find a balance where the words and tone would be very sensitive to what is undoubtedly an emotional and upsetting situation yet deliver the fullness of the Gospel in love and truth without apology. I feel that in moments like this there’s nothing left to lose.
My prayer for this poem is that it may be used as a powerful tool by many to reach the souls of the lost before it’s too late. The thought of looking into eternity without Jesus is beyond words. When a soul is at stake I feel the most important thing a person can share is the love of God and make known the forgiveness, peace and salvation that’s available to us through His Son Jesus Christ. A few minutes of discomfort in this life is more than worth it for the sake of eternal life with Him.
I’ve added an example of the “sinner’s prayer” to the end of this poem in case an opportunity comes up to lead another to Christ in prayer. I pray the poem and the prayer may be used many times over!
Dear one I come before you with a burden on my heart,The next day Wendy asked me if I had any poetry verses that may speak to her friend at that time. Immediately the first few verses from my poem “Wave Upon The Sand” came to mind and I sent them along to her but the thought came to me that it might be beneficial to have a poem that was specifically written for this kind of situation.
Straight away I pictured the words “Choose This Day” along with the image of a person sitting by the bedside of a loved one, reading a poem and sharing Jesus. I said to my husband Jan that I felt I needed to write a poem that could be used by Christians to bring the Gospel to those who are facing their mortality and don’t know Jesus as their personal Saviour.
I wrote this poem in three hours from start to finish that very same evening and sent it along to Wendy right away. I was very aware as I was writing that I wanted to find a balance where the words and tone would be very sensitive to what is undoubtedly an emotional and upsetting situation yet deliver the fullness of the Gospel in love and truth without apology. I feel that in moments like this there’s nothing left to lose.
My prayer for this poem is that it may be used as a powerful tool by many to reach the souls of the lost before it’s too late. The thought of looking into eternity without Jesus is beyond words. When a soul is at stake I feel the most important thing a person can share is the love of God and make known the forgiveness, peace and salvation that’s available to us through His Son Jesus Christ. A few minutes of discomfort in this life is more than worth it for the sake of eternal life with Him.
I’ve added an example of the “sinner’s prayer” to the end of this poem in case an opportunity comes up to lead another to Christ in prayer. I pray the poem and the prayer may be used many times over!
I wish to share the truth before the time comes to depart.
I pray, do not be angry for in love I’ve come to speak,
I only want the best for you and this is what I seek.
With all that is within me I now must plead my case,
I wish to share the Gospel and reveal to you God’s grace.
May your ears be opened up to hear your Maker’s voice,
The end is drawing near and so you have to make your choice.
Created in His image, He formed your very heart.
Unique beyond all measure, you’re His precious work of art!
Your Maker gifted you with life for purposes divine,
The days you have appointed are by Heavenly design.
But sullied by rebellion, we all must face the truth
That sin has played a mighty role, our fallen ways are proof.
None can claim perfection and though the truth is stark,
We have to face the fact that all mankind has missed the mark.
Dear one do not be fearful though, do not be at a loss!
Redemption can be yours through Jesus’ work upon the Cross!
Every fault and failure, every single sin
Was nailed upon the Tree with Christ and paid in full by Him.
He bought eternal freedom and took away your shame,
He gifts you with Salvation by just trusting in His name!
If tempted to look back on life, you needn’t feel regret.
Your Saviour loves you dearly so He cleared your every debt.
Think not of your misgivings, dwell not on your mistakes.
Trust in Jesus’ sacrifice for this is all it takes.
The Saviour took your punishment and paid for every sin,
Salvation’s there to claim but you must give your heart to Him.
Trust not in your achievements, rest not in man’s acclaim.
Eternal life awaits for those who call upon His name.
I share with you the knowledge that good works will not suffice.
No matter what you’ve done you need to put your faith in Christ.
Enter through the narrow gate and reap His great reward.
Run into the loving arms of Jesus Christ our Lord!
He’s waited for you patiently and calls you faithfully.
Open up your heart to Him and choose to bow the knee.
No judgement will you face for His payment has sufficed,
No condemnation can be found for those secure in Christ.
Dear one it’s up to you on which eternity you choose,
You’ve everything to gain and not a single thing to lose!
Respond this day to Jesus, He’s the Author of your story,
Awaken to His wonders as you enter into glory!
May you seize this moment to know His peace I pray.
Choose your Saviour dearest one, choose your God this day.
Joshua 24:15
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joel 2:32
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Psalm 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
The Sinner’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my sins. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son and that He died on the Cross in my place and rose again. I believe that His sacrifice payed the penalty for my sins so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. I am willing to turn from my sin and ask You right now to come into my life and be my personal Saviour and Lord. I commit myself to You and ask You to send the Holy Spirit into my heart to fill me. I confess with my mouth and in my heart that I am born again and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. All that I am I now commit into Your hands. Thank You Father for loving me, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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