When I Stand Before My Maker

When I stand before my Maker 

I'll be on my knees

Not in simulated obeisance

But in acknowledged inferiority

I've heard that my life's book

Like a movie will be played;

Before a holy congregation

All my mistakes will be displayed

I hope that I'll find mercy

In that revealing moment,

That the heavenly throng'll be

My advocate, not my opponent

After all, this public airing

Will be unnecessary

For there'll be no question of guilt

When I enter my plea

But while I'll acknowledge my guilt

I'll still plead for clemency

For I was never in open rebellion

Just a weak man, naturally

I'll point to the times in my life

When I put up a brave fight

But in the end lost the battle

My best efforts despite

There will also be the scenes

Where I sacrificed unselfishly

Making the needs of others

An urgent, pressing priority

And there will even be chapters where

I eschewed judgment for compassion

Recognizing that I couldn't understand

The reasons for another's action

In spite of these moments of good

There'll be no question of my guilt

So I'll stay on my knees

Before His throne gilt

And hope the verdict will be,

After the viewing of my book,

That I never gave up trying

That upon Him I did always look

March 2014