MY CHOICE - Bill McChesney
Bill McChesney, a missionary in the Congo, was martyred by the rebels in the Stanleyville area. He had been beaten on a truck and his back was bleeding. Then he was speared to death by the “Simbas.” Sometime before his death he had written this poem entitled, MY CHOICE.
I want my breakfast served at “eight”, with ham and eggs upon the plate;
A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at “one”; and dine again when day is done.
I want an ultramodern home, and in each room a telephone;
Soft carpets, too, upon the floors, and pretty drapes to grace the doors.
A cosy place of lovely things, like easy chairs and innersprings,
And then I’ll get a small TV - of course, “I’m careful what I see.”
I want my wardrobe, too, to be of neatest, finest quality.
With latest style of suit and vest, why shouldn’t Christians have the best?
But then the Master I can hear, in no uncertain voice, so clear,
“I bid you come and follow Me, the lonely Man of Galilee.”
“Birds of the air have made their nest, and foxes in their holes find rest;
But I can offer you no bed; no place have I to lay My head.”
In shame I hung my head and cried. How could I spurn the Crucified?
Could I forget the way He went, the sleepless nights in prayer He spent?
For forty days without a bit, alone He fasted day and night;
Despised, rejected - on he went, and did not stop till veil He rent.
A man of sorrows and of grief, no earthly friend to bring relief -
“Smitten of God,” the prophet said - Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red.
If He be God and died for me, no sacrifice too great can be
For me, a mortal man, to make; I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake.
Yes, I will tread the path He trod. No other way will please my God;
So, henceforth, this my choice shall be, my choice for all eternity.
Bill McChesney lived with eternity’s values in view. He laid up treasures in Heaven. His chief end in life was to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever.
There would be less failure in our lives if we dedicated them to the glory of God and to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot do this in our own strength but God has given us the power of His Holy Spirit. Let us be willing to share what we have with others.
I have extracted this piece from a website online( http://www.tpgh.org/CLP.htm ) and thought i'd share it here. I had heard it before but was not sure who it was and the story behind it.
God Bless
I want my breakfast served at “eight”, with ham and eggs upon the plate;
A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at “one”; and dine again when day is done.
I want an ultramodern home, and in each room a telephone;
Soft carpets, too, upon the floors, and pretty drapes to grace the doors.
A cosy place of lovely things, like easy chairs and innersprings,
And then I’ll get a small TV - of course, “I’m careful what I see.”
I want my wardrobe, too, to be of neatest, finest quality.
With latest style of suit and vest, why shouldn’t Christians have the best?
But then the Master I can hear, in no uncertain voice, so clear,
“I bid you come and follow Me, the lonely Man of Galilee.”
“Birds of the air have made their nest, and foxes in their holes find rest;
But I can offer you no bed; no place have I to lay My head.”
In shame I hung my head and cried. How could I spurn the Crucified?
Could I forget the way He went, the sleepless nights in prayer He spent?
For forty days without a bit, alone He fasted day and night;
Despised, rejected - on he went, and did not stop till veil He rent.
A man of sorrows and of grief, no earthly friend to bring relief -
“Smitten of God,” the prophet said - Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red.
If He be God and died for me, no sacrifice too great can be
For me, a mortal man, to make; I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake.
Yes, I will tread the path He trod. No other way will please my God;
So, henceforth, this my choice shall be, my choice for all eternity.
Bill McChesney lived with eternity’s values in view. He laid up treasures in Heaven. His chief end in life was to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever.
There would be less failure in our lives if we dedicated them to the glory of God and to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot do this in our own strength but God has given us the power of His Holy Spirit. Let us be willing to share what we have with others.
I have extracted this piece from a website online( http://www.tpgh.org/CLP.htm ) and thought i'd share it here. I had heard it before but was not sure who it was and the story behind it.
God Bless
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