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