Oh name
a field of endless contest,
where men trade peace for position
and exhaust their breath to remain above.
Pressed by hunger,
ruled by desire,
they push beyond their portion
for applause,
for approval,
for the fleeting music
of their name spoken by men.
Yet hear this, dear friend:
your name may never be carved
on the walls this world so admires.
You may walk unknown,
unannounced by crowds,
uninvited to the feasts of honor.
The crowns of men may pass you by,
their trophies never rest in your hands.
For the praise of earth is fleeting
they shout when you rise,
and fall silent when you fall.
But God is not like man.
He does not forget.
In His remembrance there is no erasing,
and in His Hall of Fame
a single name is written forever
by faith in His Son.
I tell you plainly:
I would not trade my name, however small.
It is written beyond the stars,
sealed in a kingdom that cannot fade.
Let others boast in fame and borrowed glory,
in honors that time will surely dust away.
As for me,
I choose to be unknown on earth
if my name is known above.
For better is a name remembered by God
than a thousand praises lost to time.
