Day 26 – Collisions (Jared Wilk)

Staying the Course When Your Life Crashes

I appreciated the reminder that obedience comes from faith. People like us are horrible and can front goodness for extended periods of time. Plus, we live amidst a culture pushing humanism–saying people are pretty much good creatures (sure they make mistakes, but….). That being so, we could do well enough with some effort. But we are the kind of people who can only obey God if he founds something new in us: Paul wrote to the Romans that, “Through [Jesus] and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5 NIV).” Upon this I poeticize as follows:

So let your eyes be not merely t’ obedience,
but to that trusty man who always whispers, “Come.”
All of your might musters for you no recompense
for all the ugly things slipped out–wrongs you have done.

What you forgave yourself was lie-cloaked shame: dishonesty.
And, too, your harsh self-punishment was yet another wrong.
The Son came humble, stooping into flesh and, in all modesty,
he sewed a coat–your shame he wore; to him it did belong.

Behold, this man before your time has bought you life, has freed you
from your filthy, blind identity–this God was broke to feed you.

Now, knowing this and feeling more the sin still in your flesh,
you learn your need for Jesus’ death, and this you more do cherish.
As you feel yourself darker still, your thanks can sing out fresh
and, joining more with him in work, he then becomes your flourish.

And when you do great miracles, and speak words sharp as swords
it is because you cling to him who drank up all your death.
When innovation, great success, and various awards
attend you, it is only praise to Jesus Christ’s lifebreath.

Review this verse and drink from it increased expedience
in stepping forth through death to life. To restate all in sum:
Come, check your gaze: let it not be merely t’ obedience,
but to that trusty man who always whispers, “Come.”