Surrender

Repentance
rests upon the threshold...waiting
soft gleam of redemption’s warmth beckoning—
just across the sill.

It is good to tarry,
empty pockets
afore measured steps across
this unlikely beam.

Just landing here
required effort—
bushwhacking through, 
disentangling.

One might tarry yet,
catch breath from the climb,
unweight again.
Then, whether you leap, or dive...

The Father’s net will catch you,
as if you had simply walked.
But you will experience the dive.
Shachah

Jfig     2/2023

Surrender…is an unlikely word, or practice. There is nothing in our current social milieu that advocates for such. It is beyond high risk, whether you are an adrenalin junkie, or not. Surrender, leaves everything behind. As a follower of Jesus, it is sometimes good practice to return to the deep edge, and once again make the leap.

Fairest Lord Jesus, this feels a bit like 'double dare.' You surrendered everything. Whose turn is it now? The precipice is high; the fall terrifying. It will take all of you: Father, Son, Spirit to catch me this time. But trust runs deep... I’m leaping.   J

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

“Hebrews 12 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 28 Feb, 2023. https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/heb/12/1-3/p1/s_1145001.

Sinking

Perhaps Lent...
is about sinking into the depths of redemption,
receiving sacrifice
and allowing all
our carefully crafted idols
to fall--
disappear beneath the waves
of God's goodness and mercy.

Endless waves,
the sea gate held open.

Perhaps this is the way we get to our knees--
by accepting the buckling weight
of so great a love as this--
that One Holy would lay down his life
awash in shame
for my pitiable state--
and hold the gate
Open.


jfig     2/2023

Blanchard

pic cross down

Blanchard

What if…

someone had cut down the cross

before it.was.finished;

that earth-shaking, soulchain-breaking

echo lost… what if?

 

Who am I, then

to bury my hands (hide them)

in pockets deep

before carrying the dank, rank soil of shame?

Even such waste

decomposed

can grow a flower.

 

jfig   4/17

Brokenness and shame, words that are now in the front lobes of our ‘helping conversations,’  make us ask what is true – about brokenness and grief and shame. What is taboo? How do we navigate toward health and wholeness? My poem is meant to convey, that under God’s tutelage, those things that pain us most, can be worked for our, and others’ good. Perhaps I did not say it exactly ‘right,’… but I am more concerned that it be true. It takes careful hands –  starting with those beautiful nail-scarred ones of Jesus to sift the soil of our brokenness. If the poem was of interest, perhaps you would like to read:

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Romans 8

Your comments are welcome. jfig