Second birth

(John 3)

The first time I was born

into darkness,

a raggedy

grasping thing,

groping for life

and held by the shadow

of a love once known.

Fed by a craving

covetous world,

flesh fattened on falsehoods

dazzled by desires,

consumed by the noise

of my ambitions.

Here I lived

to die,

frenzied by the                                         

ever-hungry I,

plunging into earth

that didn’t want me

yet held me fast.

Here I built

to rise,

Pushed by a promise

and a lie,

the walls of my triumph

transformed to a tomb.

Here You came

for the second birth.

Here you lived

loved

labored

longed for the children

of your heart.

Opened wide Your arms

and screamed

into the wrecked world

Your love

Your agony

Your ransom

and delivered us.

Life in death

joy in sorrow

You mirror the pain

with purpose, You

breathe in my shuddered breaths

breathing out in me Your

song.

Here I die

to live,

held in the promise

that You give,

spirit yearning upward

in surrender

to your peace.

I cease.

I rest

to be raised

in Your truth.

I lose and find

myself in You.