"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy,
LORD, and grant us Your salvation." (Psalm 85:6-7)
Consider this old poem, entitled "Dead Weight":
I've been a dead weight many years
Around the church's neck;
I've let the others carry me
And always pay the check.
I've had my name upon the rolls
For years and years gone by;
I've criticized and grumbled too,
Nothing could satisfy.
I've been a dead weight long enough
Upon the church's back;
Beginning now, I'm going to take
A wholly different track.
I'm going to pray and pay and work
And carry loads instead;
And not have others carry me
Like people do the dead.
(Author Unknown)