First I felt the sting and then came the pain. The arrows continuously pierced my chest. They were laced with poison; it rushed into my veins and raced through my body. I couldn't take my eyes off my wounds, and deterring my mind was just as impossible.
The torment overwhelmed me. Of nothing else could I conceive: not the source of these arrows, not a hope for relief. Only my ache and my agony. This offered no escape.
Somewhere inside of me, humility gasped for a breath, and my eyes and my mind escaped myself.
For on my left, I saw the enemy's army approaching--from the bottom of the hills they flooded. Troops of vandals leaving a path of destruction in their pursuit of me. They sought my flesh and my soul. And now my pain was accompanied by despair.
But with a glance to my right I saw the sun beaming off the armor that cloaked the troops perched up on the cliff, keeping a steadfast watch over me. With the first syllable of my feeble utter for help, they swept down from above with their wings spread wide. In no measure of time were they at my side.
While some surrounded and kept me, others set off to level the enemy. With their swords they slaughtered the ferocious beasts from head to toe. Upon this sight, many of the enemy cowered and retreated in fear. Triumph was declared. With this, all glory befell upon the victors' lord. Such beauty demanded that never again should I hesitate to call upon His care.
If only I never failed to see that there is so much more to this battle than me.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Love's Beauty
There before the wedding altar they stood.
Their love so young and fresh and pure. Nothing could come against it. So love created flowers all around them. Each colorful and creative, a celebration of their care for each other. They said, "I do" and stepped off the altar and out of time.
With each stride they were greater in their years together and deeper in their love. Their eyes ventured up to survey the canopy above. The green life of each leaf illuminated by the most beautiful of sunlight, which continued down to dance upon their faces. They walked along paths and over roots that drew life and health into strong, towering trees. Their adventures led them down secret passageways where mystery made its home. Placid pools became watery mirrors so that they could look at the two of them together. They held their cupped hands under misty waterfalls and satisfied their thirst. The wind carried pollen for new flowers to bloom and remind them of the first site of their love.
Their love so young and fresh and pure. Nothing could come against it. So love created flowers all around them. Each colorful and creative, a celebration of their care for each other. They said, "I do" and stepped off the altar and out of time.
With each stride they were greater in their years together and deeper in their love. Their eyes ventured up to survey the canopy above. The green life of each leaf illuminated by the most beautiful of sunlight, which continued down to dance upon their faces. They walked along paths and over roots that drew life and health into strong, towering trees. Their adventures led them down secret passageways where mystery made its home. Placid pools became watery mirrors so that they could look at the two of them together. They held their cupped hands under misty waterfalls and satisfied their thirst. The wind carried pollen for new flowers to bloom and remind them of the first site of their love.
Looking...
I've looked everywhere.
Searching across country borders, surveying from atop their volcanoes
and sifting through the sand of their beaches and the crashing of their waves.
Scouring open fields that stretch further than the eye sees
with flowers and grasses that danced and chased the wind.
Scrutinizing the concrete jungles and scanning from atop their towers' high peaks
with their everlasting flow of people passing in every direction.
But I cannot find it.
Freedom where are you? Nowhere that my heart has been.
Searching across country borders, surveying from atop their volcanoes
and sifting through the sand of their beaches and the crashing of their waves.
Scouring open fields that stretch further than the eye sees
with flowers and grasses that danced and chased the wind.
Scrutinizing the concrete jungles and scanning from atop their towers' high peaks
with their everlasting flow of people passing in every direction.
But I cannot find it.
Freedom where are you? Nowhere that my heart has been.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Destruction. Beauty
We were supposed to gaze upon the beauty of stars and bright planets, but that was taken by a thief of the night.
That morning should have marked the joy of celebrating family and the creation of new relationships, but instead there were negotiations made with the enemy.
It was meant to be about the hope and passion of lives planned to be a part of a bigger story, however there loomed one who sought to steal, kill, and destroy.
And what was intended to bring a lasting peace of reconciliation and forgiveness was swept away by a jealous, lying hater.
I am overwhelmed by the beauty that You desired for there to be, in which you intended for us to share. And then to consider the fatal way in which we twisted it--the destruction of which leads only to despair.
It was supposed to be about your glory. Instead the glory was given to one who doesn't deserve to be named.
Yet to stop there at him couldn't be further from just. We must always return to you, for from you we depart and to you we must go.
And so to consider the beauty of your glory and how to it there is nothing to compare, except perhaps the extent of your mercy and the riches of your grace. And therefore despair will have no claim, instead the victory of grace that restores and renews will be declared for your renown.
That morning should have marked the joy of celebrating family and the creation of new relationships, but instead there were negotiations made with the enemy.
It was meant to be about the hope and passion of lives planned to be a part of a bigger story, however there loomed one who sought to steal, kill, and destroy.
And what was intended to bring a lasting peace of reconciliation and forgiveness was swept away by a jealous, lying hater.
I am overwhelmed by the beauty that You desired for there to be, in which you intended for us to share. And then to consider the fatal way in which we twisted it--the destruction of which leads only to despair.
It was supposed to be about your glory. Instead the glory was given to one who doesn't deserve to be named.
Yet to stop there at him couldn't be further from just. We must always return to you, for from you we depart and to you we must go.
And so to consider the beauty of your glory and how to it there is nothing to compare, except perhaps the extent of your mercy and the riches of your grace. And therefore despair will have no claim, instead the victory of grace that restores and renews will be declared for your renown.
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