One Grain Of Sand

"What is my cross? How best take it up?
I'm no prophet*, nor Polyhymnic** rage.
I cannot build, nor could I fill the cup;
Nor, by preaching, decorate any stage!"
"Look not just among flagons*** of the great,
For your special role on the pilgrim's road;
For each Paul, fifty thousand mute ones wait;
Nor seek a David's skill again bestowed!
Look at your fellow seekers about;
None has great talent, or a noble skill!
The soil in muddy waters is seined out,
When flowing o'er sand in every rill****!
Be content if you're one more grain of sand,
That removes chaff and helps the righteous stand!"

*prophet = preacher; **Polyhymnic = hymn singer; ***flagons = cups;
****rill = stream

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)

Jesus used the expression 'Follow me" in calling his disciples, and they dropped what they were doing immediately and followed Him. That is what He is asking you and I to do, 'Take up your cross and follow me'. He wants us to undertake the same persecution heaped on Him, which is our 'cross', and to put Him before everything else in our lives---career, family, friends, and way of life. We may not have to give them up, but we must be willing to.
It is not 'a piece of cake'.

Some us are drawn to Him, but we try to identify an important role for us to play. We imagine ourselves to be a worldwide preacher, singer, or to be another Pope---anything that brings recognition. This poem denounces that by reminding us how important a grain of sand is in cleaning and puritying the running water of a stream. We should be content to be an anonymous grain of sand among millions who purify sinners of their impurities. After all, Jesus also said, "He who is least upon earth will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven".