“I MET THE MASTER FACE TO FACE”
I had walked life’s path with an easy tread
Had followed where comfort and pleasure led;
And then by chance in a quiet place
I met the Master face to face
With station and rank and wealth for goal
Much thought for body but none for soul
I had entered to win this life’s mad race
When I met my Master face to face.
I had built my castles and reared them high,
Till’ their towers had pierced the blue of the sky;
I had sworn to rule with an iron mace
When I met my Master face to face
I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see
That His eyes of sorrow were fixed on me;
And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,
While my castles vanished and melted away.
Melted and vanished; and in their place
I saw naught else but my Master’s face;
And I cried aloud “O Make me meet,
To follow the marks of Thy wounded feet.”
My thought is now for the souls of men;
I have lost my life to find it again
Ever since alone in that Holy Place,
I met the Master face to face!
(By Lorrie Cline)