I have seen a soldier.

I have seen a soldier, the strongest of the fold, his stature punctuated with muscles, built from the long strife. But what is this I see, the soldier is wounded…he staggers away from the battle, and the crowd that cheered him forgot him..

I have seen a soldier, so brave so true..he has fought for long, whether the sky be gloomy or blue. But for his long consistency, they forget to cheer him through. For he has become to them, just one who’s always been.

I have seen a soldier, so small and seemingly unworthy. Oh I see the soldier’s armor, it wears him down, what sympathy! I see how they jeer at him, that he should quit the fight. Oh little David, where could your strength be?

And I see another soldier, the battle has been rough for him. And in the little army, the blows seem to aim at him. I look closer and behold!, what is this I see..his brow is bereft of despondency, his countenance full of cheer.. And as the battle rages, his joy is increased. Oh rare, joyous soldier, what buoys your spirit up?

I look a little higher and what do I see?.. You guessed it right, yes…another soldier, who fought for them all. Then my heart is wrung, as I see Him struck down. But the last soldier told me, “He has to lose for us to win”. And I see the triumph, as he rises up again.

There’s a crowd that is watching, to cheer or jeer. But the reality is, they are soldiers too. As they lay indifferent, to the battle throng, they are losing their own souls. Their mutiny is directed,to the soldier who won.. They are sealing their fate; as the ones who never fought, can never win.

Look up wounded soldier, look up little one. The One who won reminds you, you also won too. Fight on He bids you, for the fate of the battle is sealed. Why should you fear, for a war already conquered?…

adapted from ” I saw one weary” hymn 441.