I was not a joiner—
something of a loner;
not organization-minded.
Oh, I loved the truth!
I loved the church triumphant.
But I thought I had the right
to work alone.
No, I was not a joiner—
unique, individual
(perhaps above it all?)
Then Truth thundered at me—
blazed away
until my ivory walls
grew smoky—lost
their lovely glow.
And I saw the people working
in their beloved church,
working side by side
bearing "the burden
and heat of the day"
while I in my safe
privacy and pride
stood all aloof.
Then not only my walls—
my ivory walls—
but also my protective roof
collapsed,
And I was ready—
ready to be a joiner,
to be steady
(a lively stone,
but steadfast)
no longer weighted
by a heavy sense of self,
a struggling mortal mind
encased in matter.
I glimpsed my true identity
timeless and unconfined.
Leaving my ruined tower,
I joined the body
of devoted workers—
and I was strengthened
from that hour.
O what a breaking down began—
of fear, of pride,
of selfishness, of sin!
How the world widened,
how the light poured in!
