Obedience

I said, Let me walk in the fields;

He said, Nay, walk in the town;

I said, There are no flowers there;

He said, No flowers, but a crown.

I said, But the sky is black,

There is nothing but noise and din.

But He wept as He sent me back;

There is more, He said, there is sin.

I said, But the air is thick,

And fogs are veiling the sun.

He answered, Yet hearts are sick,

And souls in the dark undone.

I said, I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say.

He answered me, Choose to-night

If I am to miss you, or they.

I pleaded for time to be given;

He said, Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in heaven

To have followed the steps of your guide.

I cast one look at the field,

Then set my face to the town;

He said, My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?

Then into His hand went mine,

And into my heart came He,

And I walk in the light divine

The path I had feared to see!

George MacDonald

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