God's Plan
For years the young man journeyed afar
Over varying paths he had trod
In search of a goal to end his quest
For closer communion with God
As into the doctrines of churches he probed
He appeared to grow confused
The spark that set in motion the quest
Was slowly becoming defused.
“If you wish to be accepted by God,”
At one church he was told,
“You must join us here and repent your sins
And give us your time and your gold.”
“You must do this, you can’t do that,”
He was told while trying to learn
He quickly travelled from one to another
Frustrated at every turn.
He finally met with a wise old man
Who recognized his plight
“Be not dismayed by trappings,” he said
Or the trivial wrong or right
“Make simple your search and focus in now
On only one rule from above;
This is the commandment as taught by Christ
The simple commandment of love..
“He admonished us all our neighbor to love
And to love God with all of our hearts-
A simple request that mentions but two
equal and important parts.
“But first you must purge your heart of hate,
or your efforts you will find thwarted.
For how from a base of hatred can ever
The least breath of love be imparted?
“Both love of neighbor and God go together.
Do not lose sight of this plan,
for if God we love with all our Heart,
can we hate our fellow man?”