"He Who Shall Not Be Named"

To some you are a myth, a legend, a fable:
You are the one who did the things that others were not able.
You have a known enemy, as all heroes do,
However unlike in movies or comics,
The people You saved don't like...no, they HATE You!
At one point they loved You but that was short-lived,
Now You're despised after giving all You had to give.
You are He who shall not be named.

Granted, these haters of You aren't blatant
In fact they would probably disagree
But as soon as You ask for their true love they flee.
Because You're love, although free, is costly
Yet nothing is too much when compared with eternity.
If they could have bits and pieces of You they would
In their minds they should: their love is circumstantial- that's understood!
Even though they only "reverence" You a few times a year
You're called upon in times of anxiety and fear.
They may call out Your name in a "thank you" or two
But as soon as things go wrong, they are right back to cursing You.
You are He who shall not be named.

Now things are worse than ever
They are trying to blot You out of history forever
You are now outlawed from schools and private places
You will soon be officially banned from You're own birthday party!
Hatred for You is growing stronger
The minuscule thread of tolerance won't hold out much longer.
They hate You and want You dead but You they cannot see
Therefore they take it out on the few who have chosen to be set free.
They can say Your name in mocking or profanity,
But allowing us to share it in love is insanity.
You are He who shall not be named.

Extremists, radicals, fanatics, Bible thumpers- we have many names
Because the few of us that are truly real don't play games.
To be what we are is also borderline illegal
To take Your name and all the hatred and "shame" that comes with it can be lethal.
We are told to be quiet as Your name we declare
They are longing for the day that they can do more to us than just glare.
Tolerance applies to the whole world except us
Because when we live what You taught they make a huge fuss.
Who would have guessed that spreading the love of someone so great
Will be enough to make us in this nation the enemies of every state!

I have many fears as the days go on:
That my faith and strength may not be enough to carry on
But each day is full of decisions- great and small
Daily tests demonstrating whether or not I've given You my all.
I fail many times but in my weakness You are strong
And I am continuously reassured that to You alone can I belong.
By Your grace, with each passing day I will not be the same,
Believing that at the end of whatever is ahead I will be ready to die for Your name.
Jesus: may Yours be the only name I ever proclaim!