The Cost so Dear - a Rhyme Displayed for Those Who Paid
Real- Life Martyrs Remain Faithful to the End, Even Today
We murmur daily and complain
Of irritations, minor pain,
And yet we stand, in freedom's gain,
View sacrifices with disdain.
Dear Stephen was the first of all;
'Mid stoning, on the Lord he'd call,
Until a glimpse of glory spied
And Stephen, ever faithful, died.
This very day, around the globe,
The faithful stand upon the Hope,
Their bodies marred, their lives laid down
To gain a share of Heaven's crown.
These humble heroes meekly stand
And place their trust in Jesus' hand;
They count their sorrows wholly blest
To serve a calling o'er the rest.
Although their human lives be spent,
No enemy can circumvent.
With mortar mixed from martyrs' blood,
The Church will stand through fire and flood.
Author's Note:
Roman Catholics celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen in the days following Christmas. This honors the very first Christian martyr. Stephen was an eyewitness follower of Jesus Christ and a deacon of the early Christian church. You can read about the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:54-60.
Even today, Christian believers are beaten, burned, caned, evicted, exiled, imprisoned, mistreated, mocked, stoned, whipped, and otherwise persecuted for their faith in many countries. Many are executed as modern day martyrs, laying down their very lives rather than renouncing their faith in Jesus Christ. One researcher estimates that 465 Christians are martyred daily! (Statistical source: http://www.gospelweb.net/modmartyrsindex2.htm)
For more information on modern-day martyrs and those who are persecuted for their faith, please visit the Voice of the Martyrs at http://www.persecution.com.
Published by Linda Ann Nickerson - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle and Sports
Linda Ann Nickerson brings decades of reporting and a globally minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentSo well done!
Thanks for reminding us in such a beautiful way -as always.
Great poem.
Great job as always :)
a book please... write the book... you rock
What a beautiful poem and a tribute to those who went before us. I love your poems as they really say something.
Amazing work Linda! Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to those who have (and would) give up their lives in the face of persecution!
I hope you are putting together a poetry collection. You are quite talented.
Exceptional job, yet again. Exceptional tribute.
This poem was wonderful. There is a power in your words and I know they were given to you by a higher source. THe author's note at the end comes in handy for the people that don't remember the story of Stephen. Great Job!