"Brand"

The cattle call in early fall,

They came from far and near,

The brand was laid on all that made,

The Bama pens so dear.

The brand lives on in Texas strong,

In Parker County true,

The legacy and what will be,

All that we plan to do.

Our livestock brand across the land,

Both horse and cow out there,

Running Mc you clearly see,

Our ownership they bear.

But the brand I wear can’t see it there,

It’s seared beneath the skin,

But no less real and what I feel,

It shows to whom I’m kin.

For with His fire, divine desire,

The imprint on my heart,

A claim divine, salvation mine,

Promise to ne’er depart.

His brand defines the boundary lines,

He sets wherein I live,

And makes it clear, we will not fear,

To surrender and to give,

All that we own, our cover blown,

As in the light we walk,

He leads always, enthroned by praise,

And dominates our talk.

I can’t undo what’s always true,

When branded deep like this,

And if need be, to die you see,

Because this brand is His.

“As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died…For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.” (Galatians 6:14, 17b, NLT)

Paul’s testimony was focused on the power of the cross and what it personally meant to Him. All that he did flowed from that central focus. And he bore the marks and scars of one who faithfully served the Lord. Our marks may not be as obvious as Paul’s, but our focus should be the same. Our only boast is that we have a received a new life because of Jesus. He has branded our hearts with His love.

Lord, help us to boast only in You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.