Kingdom

We are an awfully cantankerous lot. I wrote a song about it, to the tune of “Amazing Grace.”

Oh, Lord, what shall your kingdom be?
When shall we see it rise?
How shall we build it, strong and free
and reaching for the skies?

Now hear the judgment of the Lord:
“How shall you build for me?
Not by the warrior, nor by sword,
shall you my servants be.

“Lay down your weapons; lift your hearts.
Lay down the weight of right.
Take up the care of weaker parts
whose tears come in the night.

“Oh, turn from glory, turn from praise
and from your love of gold.
Go down the humble, lonely ways
that lead you to my fold.

“Tear down the prison, break the chain,
and set the bonded free.
Embrace their sorrow and their pain:
So shall you build for me.”

Then Christians, come, unbend the bow;
come lend your heart and hand
to build the kingdom long and low,
spread out across the land.