Today? Perhaps! Perhaps today!
The Lord may come and catch away
His ransomed Church, His blood-bought Bride
To take her place at His blest side,
When dead and living saints shall share
One trumpet summons to the air.

Perhaps today! Yes! He may come
And call us to our Heavenly Home,
That wonderous place beyond compare
Which He, in love, doth now prepare–
Our Father’s House!  How sweet!  How blest
To be forevermore at rest!

Today? Perhaps! Tis true! Today!
Ere nightfall we may be away,
Transported Home!  How blest!  How grand!
Transported Home to Gloryland!
One twinkling moment, then to be
With Him for all eternity.

Perhaps today! Then why the fear?
Tomorrow we may not be here!
The thing so dreaded may not come
Till we are safely gathered Home!
The threat’ning storm-cloud may not break
Till, in His Presence, we awake.

Perhaps today! Oh, lonely soul,
Thy heart shall reach its longed-for goal;
The fellowship, the joy, the bliss,
Which now thy heart doth sorely miss,
Perchance may be thy heart’s delight
Ere closes in another night.

Perhaps today! Then much-tried saint,
Look up, nor let thy spirit faint;
The stretching road thine eyes may see
May never be traversed by thee–
One moment’s space and then above,
To find thyself in cloudless love!

Perhaps today, afflicted life,
Thou shalt be taken from the strife,
From all that hatred to thy word
Which comes as thou dost please thy Lord.
And then, ah then, how shall the pain
Compared with all thou then shalt gain!

Perhaps today the fight will cease,
And then, eternal wondrous peace!
The evil hosts which rage and roar
Shall reach us there?  NO, nevermore!
O blessed hope, to them be free
For ever through eternity!

We’ll meet again – perhaps today
The dear ones who have passed away–
The loved ones who now softly sleep
When Jesus now doth safely keep,
Oh wondrous joy to meet them There
At that blest union in the air!

Perhaps today this mortal frame
With all enfeebled nature’s claim
Shall be exchanged, and we shall own
A “temple” where shall not be known
A sense of weakness or decay,
Or strength that surely ebbs away.

Perhaps today we all shall stand
At Christ’s tribunal, wondrous grand–
There gathered through redeeming love,
All ransomed, yet to have Him prove
Life’s service, and to gain reward
Where life or labour pleased the Lord.

Perhaps today! He’ll come most sure!
This hope He means to keep us pure–
To have us watching, ready, free,
Untrammeled with iniquity,
That we may meet Him without shame
Or conscious sense of guilt or blame.

Today perhaps! Perhaps today!
Yes, He may come!  Then watch and pray!
This “blessed hope” keep much in view,
Nor deem it dead,  though taught by few.
And be as urgent as you may
In winning souls, while ’tis “Today”!

~ Written by J. Danson Smith~ 1935

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• What word of phrase captures your attention in this poem?
• Allow this word or phrase to percolate within you.
• What do you notice in your body?
• What comes to your mind?
• Read the poem a second time, aloud if you wish.
• What is deepening with in you?
• What message to you hear from God?
• What is significant about today?
• Read the poem a third time listening for a call to action?
• Do you hear something new?
• How is  God calling you… today?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, November 13, 2011, the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Judges 4:1-7

Psalm 123

I Thessalonians: 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author.

Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD