Pursuing his image (and colliding with the same), 

A Song Sparrow died by the church’s door.

The morning was sunny, extending its beauty, 

But his song would gladden our hearts no more.

A Sparrow was focused, more on his reflection,

Than what his creator had bade him to do.

With this lawless labor, he paid with his life,

And to those who would listen—provided a clue.

For God is not silent—He always is speaking,

Perhaps we do not understand.

For riddles divine and mysteries He whispers,

Not giving the shouting that we may demand. 

Though outside the church lay the bird in death’s clutches,

Within flowed forth praise from men’s lips.

God’s song flows onward and never is stopping,

Ever He watches the hearts that He grips. 

At the same time, He sees each Song Sparrow, 

Even the ones that depart from the earth. 

His eyes see all things from the small to the greatest,

From the bird by the door to the one yet to birth.

But far more than Sparrows, He sees His own people,

He counts every hair on our head. 

He sees every action and thought we are forming,

And weighs every longing and word we have said. 

While He so watches, a song He is singing,

With great exaltation the melody swells.

It’s over His people that this joy He renders,

The music the dancing the ringing of bells.

But what happens when like the Sparrow we wander,

What if our own image we long for and chase? 

Will the song in our hearts die out in like manner,

Will we have strength and much joy for the race? 

It seems when we chase our own glory we stumble,

The song in our hearts will flow forth no more.

Cut off by collision with our very own image,

Reflected by our heart—a polished steel door. 

But the song within need not fare like the Sparrow,

Our hearts need not be hard as steel.

For if we seek God and give Him His due glory,

His song ever flows—His presence so real.

If in this presence we’re ever abiding,

Then God will shape and soften our hearts.

As time marches onward anon we’ll discover,

That we do reflect Him in all of our parts.