If I Were You

If I were you, I’d turn the other way.
If I were you, I’d leave me here to stay.
If I were you, I’d feel like justice served.
If I were you, I’d give what I deserved.

But I am not you
(This fact bodes well for me).
And you are not me
(Else perfect I would be).

I ask for strength and peace
You give me both of these.

Still I turn from you again
It’s only a matter of when.
And I return then to this place
Of abusing God’s own grace.

The lure is oh so strong
That even good seems wrong.
In selfishness submerged
Where sin and flesh converged.

I ask for strength and peace
You give me both of these.

Each time I ask you send
Forgiveness makes amends.
So faithful to me, so true.
So undeserved too.

Forgiveness seventy times seven
Can only come from heaven.
You call me to the same
But the weakness and the shame!

I ask for strength and peace.
You give me both of these.

And so I live in view
Of God’s own grace so true.
And with Your strength and peace
There’s hope for sin deceased.

Michael P. Van Gilst