The One Who Endures

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:1-14

The One Who Endures

You are happy to be in my life
when the food and wine flow
when the laughter chases away hurt
when nothing is expected of you.

How quickly you draw away
when tears flow and grief overwhelms
when loss and sorrow are garments
when there is nothing for you to gain.

How swiftly you fly to my side
with hope of meeting celebrities
how quickly you deny me when trouble
surrounds and they call me a fool.

Love is not a safe docile harbor
but is lived on open swelling seas
the day of glassy stillness and calm
will always predicate a huge storm.

Love delivers in the worst weather
finds passage through the shallows
will not let anyone drowned in high water
pumps out the boat when all is sinking.

Love raises the flag when bombarded
lifts the spirits when all seems lost
endures to the end and beyond
as a sign and promise to the nations.