Friendly Fire

By Michael L. Alumbaugh, ©1987, 2014

You never know what tragedies have built a life. You wonder why a coworker has no interest in salvation or Jesus, or why some people lack the vision or zeal you have for the Lord. You get this explosion from someone you barely speak to. Or a customer verbally runs you down like a steamroller, and for no apparent reason. 

  There are times when a word rashly spoken by another Christian misses the mark and tears your heart out. Your words don't match the message or the timing was rotten. Instead of words that edify, they petrify. And the hearer's response may be a gruff or angry retort instead of a soft answer. You think, "They are having a bad day" or "They are always a crank!" Your mental reaction: they need a sign hung around their neck reading, "Warning:Doesn't play well with others." Or "What a harpy!"

Hmmm. Ever wonder what happened to "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."?

We tend to think what we do as a loving rebuke will build up another, when in fact it tears down. Isaiah says, "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart,'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance,with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.' Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, . . ."  

In Ephesians we are admonished to "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give  grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of  redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

I can't walk.

I can't run.

I've been shot down

By our own guns!

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.

I can't fight

Enough to stand

Though I know

The Master's plan. 

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.

Seems I'm losing . . . that One desire.

And I hear the Captain shout,

"All my soldiers . . . Come Out! Come out! Come out!

I see those dying

With my own eyes.

But my heart,

My heart seems paralyzed

From being wounded . . . by friendly fire.
I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.

Cries for help

Around me ring!

But I can't move

'Cause I feel the sting,

From being wounded . . . by friendly fire.

Seems I'm losing . . . that One desire.

I see the Captain's men advance.

Should I? . . . Can I? . . . Do I get a second chance?

----- Bridge -----

Oh, God help me!

I can't run.

I've been shot down

By our own guns!

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.

Seems I've lost . . . that One desire.

Strengthen my hands

And those weakened knees.

Heal my wounds.

Help me hear their pleas. 

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.

Seems I've lost . . . my One desire. 

See the Captain's men advance,

Could I? . . . Should I? . . . Do I get a second chance?

'Cause I can't walk.

And I sure can't run.

I've been shot down

By our own guns!

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire.
Seems I've lost . . . that One desire. 

I've been wounded . . . by friendly fire. 
And it seems . . . I've lost that One desire.