We long to be inside that gate
So we can know God’s love
Where Tree of Life for us awaits
And we can look above.
But we too often have looked down—
In pride we’ve taken charge—
And in our sins our hope is drowned
As sinful self enlarged.
Our god becomes our human strength
But find it cannot lift
Ourselves from mire in which we sink
And cry for Spirit’s gift.
And then from where we wish to be
One comes in heaven’s cloak,
A garment of humility,
From inside out it soaks.
For heart of Him within is great
And colors what’s without;
In Him there is no room for hate
Nor is their any doubt.
He for us is God’s Truth and Way—
The Life for which we’ve longed—
God’s Word for us has final say
For to Him we belong.
Humility casts out our sin—
In Him we are sin free—
And gate is opened, we step in
To eat of His Life Tree.
We feast on risen Body, Blood—
At last we truly live—
His key to gate is Holy Rood,
And Paradise He gives.