The Gospel According To You

I was going through one of my Dad’s old notebooks the other day and saw where he had saved old articles and poems from the past. There were also some poems and articles that he wrote. Like me, my Dad was a Methodist Pastor in Alabama and the panhandle of Florida as was my grandfather and my great-grandfather too. My Dad died in 1988 at the age of 57, but while he was alive he taught me to regularly reflect on my life and my witness for Christ. I miss him everyday and wish I could hear his voice once again.

Feeling nostalgic and missing my Dad, I started reading through some of the old poems in his notebook that he had collected and written. I found this one that really caught my eye and jumped off the page at me. I don’t believe I had ever seen it before, and I am not sure who wrote it many years ago.

It had a catchy title “The Gospel According to You”. As I read it I could hear my Dad’s voice challenging me in this old poem to live a life that becomes the gospel. I invite you to read it too and ask yourself like I did, “What is the Gospel According to Me?”

The Gospel According To You

“There’s a sweet old story translated for women and men,

But writ in the long,long ago,

The Gospel according to Mark, Luke and John - -

Of Christ and His mission below.

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day,

By deeds that you do, by words that you say,

People read what you write, whether faithless or true.

Say, what is the gospel according to you?

People read and admire the Gospel of Christ,

With it’s love so unfailing and true,

But what do they say, and what do they think

Of the gospel according to you?

‘Tis a wonderful story, that Gospel of love,

As it shines in Christ-like Divine,

But O that it’s truth might be told again

In the story of your life and mine.

Unselfishness mirrors in every scene,

Love blossoms on every sod,

And back from it’s vision the heart comes to tell

The wonderful goodness of God.

You are writing each day a letter to women and men.

Take care that your writing is true.

‘Tis the only gospel some people will ever read,

That gospel according to you!”

I invite you to join me in meditating and reflecting on this gripping old poem.

May we let it sink in as we honestly ask ourselves each day what kind of gospel am I writing with my life? As the author says, we are writing each day a letter to all those we encounter. And that letter is the only gospel some folks will ever read.

So, what is the gospel according to you …. And me?

Blessings,

Dr. Lester Spencer