Way of Escape

I Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Way of Escape
by Nina Rose Hall

Drawn, enticed, my flesh is weakening;

tempting old desires in me;

And the door to yield is opening:

the Spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.

–

Slowly now my feet are stumbling,

following on, as in a dream.

Pushing all my doubts behind,

I reach to grasp at sin’s alluring gleam.

–

Suddenly, a creak is heard from behind –

the Narrow Gate –

Opening forth, the light of truth shines forth:

“I AM the Way.”

–

“Follow Me,” His voice is calling,

“Child, won’t you turn to me?

I have giv’n you power to conquer.

I’ve made for you this way of escape!

–

“Won’t you leave that foolishness,

and follow me?

There is nothing here for you –

but vanity, regret, and sure defeat.”

–

Then the Lamp unto my feet

begins to light my way,

Showing me the victory

that can be mine today.

–

But turning back, I gaze once more

upon the lustful pleasures of before,

Still they beckon me to follow –

Could the happiness they promise lie just beyond this door?

–

Then through the gleam of light

that shines forth from the narrow way,

That penetrating beam exposed

sin’s hypnotizing haze.

–

I beheld the groaning souls

held shackled by their lust;

And in my heart that tower of yearning

crumbled into dust.

–

Christ, in all His splendor,

came once more alive to me.

Jesus Christ had died, that from those chains

I would be free!

–

Turning back my feet,

I saw again the way He’d made.

The way of His amazing grace –

rushing to my aid.

–

Though few pilgrims choose that path,

I see its wisdom clear.

And every time I’m tempted,

I know that door is near.

–

The choosing of that path, I know,

will be a constant test,

But in that way lies a conscience clear;

a heart at rest.

–

And whispered in my ears,

my Father’s gentle voice I hear:

“Yield not! Take courage, child!

Flee to the way of escape – it’s always there.”