Jan. 10/10 Poems

Those Who Have Gone Before
Jan. 10/10

When I think of the Chilkoot Trail and the hearty souls that walked that way.
They had one goal in mind, each one with a plan. Down the trail they go.
The gold rush was the reason, and this was the way to get there.
Rough and rugged beauty and yet much danger along those lonely trails.

They would walk for days and yet all that lay before them was a rugged land,
Bush, rock, mountains and cold hard snow, and a relentless wind.
Would they ever make it, some did, some didn't, some gave up and turned back,
Others died along the way. Out of those that made it, very few found what they were looking for.

They were looking for wealth and riches from the gold they had heard about,
From those who had been there and sent word home, but didn't tell the whole truth.
Many were led astray and many lost their way.
The love of money is the root of all evil, the gold rush had both.

But everyone was following a leader, someone who had gone before.
Yet, there was only one that would have been there first.
No one was sure who he was or if he was even true.
But it must be true at least that is what they say.

In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.
Jesus has been there from the very beginning. The Bible tells us so.
He has been along the road. He has been tried and true.
Our spiritual trail to heaven has been the path our leader have trod, those who have gone before.

These leaders like the Chilkoot trail traveler, also had one goal,
To walk the streets of gold for eternity, up in heaven.
These leaders by faith fought the elements along the way as well.
This path also is not an easy path, at times it is a lonely trail to trod.

Much of it seems all up hill, you pass through rugged lands, fight your way through many a thicket,
You just get over one rock and you think you've made it, you look up, no, another mountain to climb.
From many people along the way you will feel their icy glares and cold ridicule.
Telling you this and telling you that, who are you to believe.

At times along the way, I have wondered, will I ever make it?
Well, some have, others will, some have given up and turned back.
Yet, others have died along the way, with no hope for eternity.
But those that made it were hardy souls with heaven as their goal.

Nothing could stop them as they cleared the trail,
Shared their knowledge and led the way for us to follow.
Yes, the paths our leaders have trod, has not been an easy path.
But we will win, if we follow their example, keeping heaven as our goal.

We owe a lot to the Saints that walked in Bible times, like those in Heb. 11,
We owe a lot to those that brought the gospel to our kin folk,
But we owe the most to mom and dad and to those that have impacted us for Christ,
Setting us on the trail that will lead us to heaven, if we will keep our eyes fixed on Him.

Following the trail markers of those who have gone before, each day as we walk and learn.
Why should the younger generation make the same mistakes as those,
Our ancestors have made for years, when we have them as an example, a warning.
The road signs are there, if we follow and keep on keeping on, we will make it in the end.

On like the gold rush travelers, we will one day walk on the streets of gold in heaven,
We will be rich, beyond our wildest imaginations, we will have it all.
For we will have eternal life with God for ever and ever.
We will have Jesus for all of eternity.

For our leaders that following Christ are clearing the trail in the right direction, so keep on following and being the leaders for those who will follow us.

By Peter C. Salmond

Read: Heb. 11, John 1, Read a book on your Christian Heritage, write a thank you letter to your parents and the leaders in your life that have impacted your life for Christ.