On Distant Shores

I have been scarred so deep by life and cold despair,
and brittle bones were broken far beyond repair.

I have leveled lies so deep
the truth may never find.
And inside my faithless heart I stole things never mine.

If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor,
Dear Father, I will see you, there on distant shores.

I have toiled for countless years and ever felt the cost,
and I've been burned by this world's cold, like leaves beneath the frost.

On my knees I've crawled to You,
bleeding myself dry.
But the price of life is more, than I could ever buy.

And off of the blocks,
I was headstrong and proud,
at the front of the line
for the card-carrying, highbrowed.
With both eyes fastened tight,
yet unscarred from the fight.
Running at full tilt,
my sword pulled from its hilt.
It's funny how these things can slip away,
our frail deeds,
the last will wave good-bye.
It's funny how the hope will bleed away,
the citadels we build and fortify.
Good-Bye.

Night came and I broke my stride,
I swallowed hard, but never cried.
When grace was easy to forget,
I'd denounce the hypocrites,
casting first stones,
killing my own.
You would unscale my blind eyes,
and I stood battered, but more wise,
fighting to accelerate,
shaking free from crippling weight.
With resilience unsurpassed,
I clawed my way to You at last.
And on my knees,
I wept at Your feet,
I finally believed, that You still loved me.

Healing hands of God,
have mercy on our unclean souls
once again.
Jesus Christ,
Light of the World, burning bright
within our hearts forever.
Freedom means love without condition,
without beginning or an end.
Here's my heart, let it be forever Yours,
only You can make every new day seem so new.