To Keep A Godly Heart
by Michael Doyle

On most days, I set God-sized goals
Doing my best to grow my stubborn soul
Living large to fill envisioned shoes
All my prayers have surely paid their dues

I know my sins nailed Jesus to the cross
Who knew it would bring victory and not loss?
Leafing through the Bible changed my point of view
Now, I live and try to be godly in all I do

In the spirit, I  have lived and learned
Finding much to understand and discern
This is my vision like the burning of a fire
It has inspired me in all I now aspire

Shattered dreams and broken places
And still our Lord, my soul embraces
As a son of thunder, I do my very best
Certain of my footing, I'll pass the test

Transfiguration showed what could be done
When you have the faith to follow the Son
I won't turn my back, but will always remain
To love forever, despite my soul's stain

We each have our journey, and I have mine
The heartbeat of Jesus signals the divine
Listen closely, and we'll find eternity
The heart of God means everything to me

He made me His surfer to ride the waves
That is the service that I'll give until my grave
With every breath, I endure to defeat death
And I stand just as firm with every moment left

Aligning my soul with Jesus, I'll live life right
To take on the Devil in every moment of the good fight
I hold to faith as my greatest guiding light
Pushing on through the dark of the darkest night

If there is some price yet still to pay
I'll gladly pay it to help in showing the way
I'll give my wall to answer your call
And to raise up God to help restore man's fall

The screaming heard in all those broken places
For the love of God as my life embraces
I walk by the spirit, each step that I take
This has its purpose, and isn't by mistake

As God pulls me back by the strings of my heart
Evan as Patmos is the place I find I must start
Most see the horror in God's coming desolation
But in the darkest hours, I serve at my station

Pushed by the screaming whisper echoing in my ear
Urging myself and all others to somehow persevere 
Wherever we are, by God and fate, truly meant to be
Knowing and living up to this truth will set us free

One day, I'll see the streets paved with gold
As sure as my faith is solid, it is foretold
Living each moment  close beside God and then
I know my salvation comes from knowing my sins

I close my eyes and find my rest
As faithfully, I've lived my best
My brokenness given to God's salvation
With no doubt on my final destination

No pain or struggle is too much to take
I bare this patiently for heaven's sake
Worked forward forever for God's holy good
This is the life I've lived and understood

All my steps have taken me to this place
And my blessed forgiveness,  I'll embrace
I am still a mess, yet I am forgiven
This is the repentance that all Christians are living

This lost surfer quietly joined the family
To become one with the Christian community
I am but a work in progress and yet find my rest
In this confession, I'll pass the test

(c) April 21, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved