Monday, July 8, 2013

Inside-Out

"Judge not, lest ye be judged."
doesn't feel so much like
a free-for-all in which
everyone can get away
with anything, as it does
a reminder that each of us sees
the world through the filter of self;

and when we pretend that we don't –
when we decide and declare
that the most important changes
needed in the world should come from
and be most costly to others –

we are completely ignoring both
our greatest challenge 
and our finest opportunity
to make the world a better place.

Transformation from within
is both possible and essential,
not because we are capable
or holy on our own, but because
we are created from and with divine breath.

Resurrection is a gift from God
that rests at the core of our being.
We can spend our time expecting
someone else to bring us joy –
to rescue us from loneliness and discontent –

keeping a tight lid on the spark within,
or we can practice setting self aside
and getting out of the way
so resurrection overflows.
It's an inside-out reaction
that turns grace loose and sets hope free.



© 2013 Todd Jenkins

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