The poem

"Only One Life, 'Twill Soon Be Past"

by C.T. Studd.

Two little lines I heard one day,  

Traveling along life's busy way;  

Bringing conviction to my heart,  

And from my mind would not depart;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,  

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;  

Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,  

And stand before His Judgment seat;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,  

Gently pleads for a better choice  

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,  

And to God's holy will to cleave;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,  

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;  

Each with its days I must fulfill,  

Living for self or in His will;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,  

When Satan would a victory score;  

When self would seek to have its way,  

Then help me Lord with joy to say;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,  

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;  

Faithful and true what e'er the strife,  

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,  

And from the world now let me turn;  

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,  

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,  

Now let me say, 'Thy will be done';  

And when at last I'll hear the call,  

I know I'll say 'twas worth it all';  

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  

Only what's done for Christ will last.

The poem ‘Only One Life, “Twill Soon Be Past” was written by Charles Thomas (C.T.) Studd, a British missionary and Christian writer. The poem was probably written in the early 1900s, probably in the 1920s, during his time as a missionary in Africa and India. The poem has become known for its theme of devotion and living a meaningful life in service to God, which is why the words, ‘Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last", are often quoted by Christians.

The poem

"Comfort in Faith"

by Torbjörn Holmberg.

In heavenly peace, where God's love unites, your soul finds rest.
Beyond the whisper of time, your body now lies in the earth’s embrace.

The sorrow is beyond measure, yet through the glorious hope in Christ our LORD,
we find comfort in faith, which bears us through the night of tears.

A brighter day shall dawn, where darkness rules no more –
for we are separated only for a little while.

In the clouds, we shall once again be gathered,
at the mighty sound of the last trumpet.

The trumpet shall sound to the glory of God, and we shall forever be with the LORD.

You did not simply pass away – no, you went home, to the land of heaven,
where no more tears shall fall, and eternal rest is given by God's hand.

Your spirit was gently lifted up on the eternal wind of grace,
and now you behold your Savior – the LORD you loved and bore within.

Your farewell was not an end, but morning light and peace –
you traded earth’s shadows for everlasting glory.

And when we grieve in flesh, our spirit softly speaks:
The trumpet shall sound to the glory of God, and we shall forever be with the LORD.

Our days are short and swiftly flee, so brief is every breath,
yet Christ remains our fortress strong, our anchor even in death.

And though we walk by faith, not by sight,
we have a mansion in heaven, where you now already are.

The trumpet shall sound to the glory of God, and we shall forever be with the LORD.

Though absent in the body, we are present in the hope
that one day soon we too shall come and in His presence dwell in the Father's house with all the saints, in glory unsurpassed,
when earth is hushed and heaven's light breaks forth at last.

So now we rest in confidence, though pain may fill this hour:
in Christ we are victorious – upheld by love and power.

And nothing now shall separate – not death, nor time, nor pain:
The trumpet shall sound to the glory of God, and we shall forever be with the LORD.

The poem ‘Comfort in Faith’ was written by Torbjörn Holmberg in 2024, shortly after his mother left earthly life to be with the Lord. This short poem is meant as a reminder and comfort to the Christian, who has lost a loved one who is in Christ, not to despair or grieve like others who have no hope.

(2 Corinthians 5:8; John 11:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)