Afraid? Of What?

I’ve been reading a book of John Pollock entitled “A Foreign Devil In China”. We bought it at one of the BookSale outlets in the metro. I read there the story of Jack Vinson, a foreign missionary in China, who was held hostage by bandits in 1931. He was offered to be released but he chose to stay with the rest of the other captives. While the group was fleeing from government forces, one bandit shot him and another beheaded him.

This incident inspired the writing of “Afraid? Of What?” poem of E. H. Hamilton or Ham. He wrote it after he himself has fled a bandit-infested area. It has encouraged many people in facing death. It has also given me courage and confidence during our ordeal last week.

Yes, what we have faced is far from death and life situation. But I like the title. Afraid? Of What? I kept on repeating that to myself whenever I get weak and felt like giving up the fight.

Afraid? Of What?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace?
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid – of that?

Afraid? Of What?
Afraid to see the Savior’s face?
To hear his welcome, and to trace
The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
Afraid – of that?

Afraid? Of What?
A flash, a crash, a pierced heart;
Darkness, light, O Heaven’s art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid – of that?

Afraid? Of What?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid – of that?

Me? Afraid? Ofcourse, not!

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.

The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation."
- Isaiah 12:2