Threadbare
Wrapped in tatters
ribboned remnants of
dignity’s sparse remains
One lies in the dust
(dung to be accurate)
waiting.
Threads barely hide my private parts
let alone my thigh
Who carried me?
Prayer of my mother…
anguish of father
a neighbor who hoisted?
All turned deaf ears to my plea:
please…bear my shame in private…I beg you
Their compassioned angst
and mercy, carried me
Would that we could all escape down some private alley
to first fix ourselves before meeting the feet of Jesus.
Not so…
it is Jesus we need
Lots cast, our stained hands
grasp his sacred robe.
We run toward
the one who barters for our souls.
Carry each other—to the cross.
Humble distance
to bear shame
toward one—burden bearer
powerful enough to carry
shame’s tangled sham away forever.
I am no longer ‘for sale.’
Jesus has paid the price.
jfig 3/2020
Dear Friend,
I believe that Jesus has the power to transform one’s life in whatever way is needed. Isaiah 61 is a beautiful passage about his intent toward us: his gifts of freedom and the outcome of God’s power to renew us and give us a place of purpose in his kingdom.
Isaiah 61:1-3. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified.” You can read the entire passage here: “Isaiah 61:1 (ESV) – The Spirit of the Lord.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 15 Apr, 2020. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/isa/61/1/s_740001>.
1)This poem touches on topics of shame, which one experiences both because of choices that one has made, and as a result of what others have done. I believe that Jesus comes to the marketplaces of Gennesaret in our lives to set us free from either. This is my prayer for all of us.
Jesus Healer, this poem touches on places of pain in us: wounds that bleed, and heavy pulling scars. We believe you have the power to heal. Heal us we pray, from the pain and shame that we drag around with us. We have landed here at your cross, our only safe place for letting go. We love you. We trust you.
You invite us to sin no more. We acknowledge sin’s destructive power and ask for growing strength to be new Jesus-kingdom people, to grow in the righteousness and beauty of your healing intent. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen
jfig 3/2020
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Roasted Words 