“Temperance,” is your name.
At least,
that’s what you’ve been calling yourself.
A thin disguise
for scar tissue,
brain damage,
and a soiled reputation.
Sure,
everyone needs to get saved.
Jesus, reaches out and knocks
on everybody’s door
and I guess that day
you were home to answer.
Probably half-asleep
and nursing a hangover,
totally unaware
that the Son of God
was about to change your life.
But He did.
Did He ever.
It’s wild to watch a person
who has never known Love,
become Love.
There’s nothing in this life
that compares to witnessing
another human being
pull up,
out of a downward spiral,
when their whole life’s trajectory
as been certain impact.
It’s glorious.
And Glory, indeed.
God’s Glory.
And God’s Grace is what saves
the wayward and the fallen.
All of us are sinners,
but some of us
are real deep divers.
Some, like you,
dig down deep,
and knowing no other way,
seek to occupy Hell.
Then comes the knock at the door.
You know,
even your face changed.
From stone-hard edges,
and iron-eyed glares,
to a kind of softness
around the eyes and mouth.
A lack of tension,
as if somewhere,
someone had cut a line
and let you loose.
Perhaps, your whole life
had been pain,
and now,
that pain was gone.
You became kind,
where you were mean.
Generous,
where you had been selfish.
Open,
were you were hidden.
And joyful,
in a way that makes all of us
around you smile.
You have been selfless,
and forgiving,
and merciful.
You cast no judgements,
and turn the other cheek, often.
But we have less need
of the peaceful pacifist
these days.
I’m sorry, “Temperance,”
but we need warriors.
I could never ask you
to take back up your mantle of pain,
for God has relieved you of that.
But you have seen Hell,
and know it can be beaten,
and we have need
of your kind
to speak the truth.
The meek will inherit the Earth,
and the prophet will be persecuted.
Each must make their choice,
as you made yours,
so many years ago.
Who will speak for us?
Who will go for us?
Who knows well
the princes and influences
of this world,
as well as they know God’s kingdom?
Who might be brave enough
to speak truth
in the house of lies?
To bring light
into the darkness?
To speak the Word
to a world
that seeks to still the tongue?
Will it be you?
You know I cannot ask you.
My Brother.
My Sister.
Ask yourself this question;
were you saved
for such a time
as this?
DJR -2023
