R u N a W a Y

Image credit Olivia Bell on Flickr

I wanted to make You proud of me
so You could look down at me and smile.
I blew it and knew it!  Not wanting
to see Your disappointment, I ran.

But You pursued me, looked right thru' me,
Your eyes seeking mine, squeezed tightly closed,
Your voice penetrating my defense
though I'd stuck my fingers in my ears.

You waited till I would come to You;
I waited, not knowing what to do.
I crawled out, hating my ugly self,
my downcast eyes mirroring my shame.

You picked me up, raised my chin till my
gaze was level with Yours and said, as
You smiled, "I just wanted to hold you,
Beautiful Child!"  (No anger, so blame)

I cried then and knew
     I'd never again
         run away from You!

Yes, I do believe each choice holds a consequence.  We can "sow to the spirit and reap life" or "sow to the flesh and reap corruption" (destruction--of whatever type that may be).  But that must be balanced with the glorious truth that "He Himself bore our sins in His own body...", that while "the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy" (after he deceives & entangles), Jesus came "that we might have life" and is always working to "redeem our lives from destruction".  He became "a curse for us!"   A license to sin?  No way!  We are called to be holy even as He is holy.  He gives us the gift of right standing with Himself but expects us to choose to follow Him in the path of righteousness daily.

Just sayin--when you miss the mark, don't allow the "accuser of the brethren" (that would be your very real but already defeated enemy, the devil!) to condemn you till you agree with him that you're never going to get it right, that you're a failure or worthless or any other negative thing that YOUR CREATOR SAYS YOU ARE NOT!  When we blow it, let's repent, sure, try to understand why and learn how to overcome that reaction or tendency next time.  We must trust God's grace and allow the life of Christ to dwell in us, flow out through us.  When we are weak, He is strong.  But always, always, run to Jesus--never, never away from Him.  You, yes, you, are His delight!