What Will People Say?

The minority of people live their own life. Most are dependent on the question, “What will people say?” To the many thousands who have become used to caring more about the judgment of others than the peace of their souls, this question becomes a curse.

What are these “people”, who live today, but could die tomorrow? Are we to lay our fate in the hands of those who are like chaff? Will the people who are given this consideration stand by us when we are in trouble? Our trouble or happiness only matters to them as entertainment. Why should we then make our eternal salvation dependent on the opinion of people?

A missionary once told the story of an imprisoned prince who was to be freed under the condition that he allow himself to be led through the entire town at noon.

“Oh”, the young man said, “what faces will the people make?” – The king replied, “You do not yet know how you are to be led through the town.”

When it got close to noon, a crystal bowl that was filled to the brim with milk was placed in his hands. “As soon as you spill a drop of milk, you will be killed,”  said the king.

One of the king’s henchman followed closely behind the young man with a drawn sword in order to slit his throat should one single drop spill from the bowl onto the ground.

People had come from near and far to see the prince on his walk. The crowd stood shoulder to shoulder along the streets. All windows were occupied, some had even climbed onto the roofs. 

Once the young man had completed his walk through the crowds who had watched in breathless anticipation, the king came up to him. “So,” he asked, “what kind of faces did the people make?”

“Oh king,” the young man answered, “I didn’t see any of them. I only saw my life in my hands and my death in my throat!” -

Let us do the same as this young man. Let us not look towards the gaping crowds, but always carry our soul in our hands. – Before us life, behind us death, for it’s only a step to the grave.

Soon time will be ended, eternity’s near,

It is only a step to the grave;

God’s warnings are sounding, oh, will you not hear?

It is only a step to the grave.

How near is your dying, O faltering man?

For there’s only a step to the grave;

Your life at the longest is only a span,

And there’s only a step to the grave.

Backslider in darkness, in sorrow and sin,

It is only a step to the grave;

The door may soon close that’s inviting you in,

For there’s only a step to the grave.

The end is soon coming, O sinner, beware,

For it’s only a step to the grave;

Repent, or you’ll miss that bright haven so fair,

For it’s only a step to the grave.

It is only a step to the grave,

It is only a step to the grave;

O sinner, awake, your soul is at stake,

And it’s only a step to the grave.

D.O. Teasley