A Poem: Repentance

In the old testament, God calls Abraham as the father of the Jewish people.  He promised to give him many descendants and do amazing things through his nation.  But with this promise came much sacrifice for Abraham, including instructions to leave his home country, take his wife, and basically become a nomad.  Over the next several years Abraham moves from place to place.  He has a tent that he uses as his temporary home in all of these foreign lands. 

As Abraham arrives in a new place, the scriptures say that he builds an altar to God.  He does this before he even puts up his tent or unpacks his bags. 

Several months after we moved, I started to ask myself what I have done to construct an altar to God in my new home and city.   I certainly didn't do it before I unpacked the boxes.  I feel like many of us miss these chances to bring glory to God at each new bend in the road.  Every new place, new job, new house, addition to the family, or even each new day or circumstance… with each one comes an opportunity to build an altar to God, and make him the first thing that we tend to.  Perhaps we might do this even before we start asking where the grocery store is or how we are going to manage in our new situation.

It's been a long time since I've written any poetry (I usually leave that to John), but here it is - my altar. 

Repentance

Pride.

I am always right

Argumentative

More important

Unwilling to give

Independent.

This rock weighs me down,

So I toss it aside.

Vanity.

I am beautiful

Ugly

Never perfect enough

Trying to impress

Seeking approval.

This rock weighs me  down,

So I toss it aside.

Greed.

I am unsatisfied

Needing more

Indulgent

Keeping for myself

Stashing up.

This rock weighs me down,

So I toss it aside.

Envy.

I am more deserving

Resentful

Defined by my circumstances

Wishing harm

Entitled.

This rock weighs me down,

So I toss it aside.

Every day I make an altar

Built from my mistakes and frayed edges

Something ordinary and old,

a rock not worthy of much display

But stacking together perfectly

Each a place meant to be

Something to glorify

Repurposed and renovated

A strong tower, reaching heavenward

A pillar of hope.

Here, I bow down,

And bask in the refreshing light of Your smile.