Reality

Something is wrong with this photograph

What is so inviting about a place

Where the shades of black overshadow everything

A shrill cold voice beckons and I turn

Doing its bidding without question

Scrambling for more like a beggar

I can’t grasp enough of this hopelessness

As it pours into me, I am hollowed

My eyes have become haggard and empty

My hunger and thirst never satisfied

Standing on the edge, in the confines of despair

The shallow remains of life flow in my veins

Yearning to poured out to end this pain

Anything to be released from this bitter cold void

Had there once been hope?

Or was that just a fantasy- a desire- a wish

But then- a warm touch- a kind word

Cracks the frozen wasteland of a life

Maybe- just maybe- hope was more than a dream

My eyes freed from the blinding black ice

Open to see an outstretched hand

Scarred for me, He radiates light and warmth

My frozen soul melts in His tender affection

The intensity of His love shatters death’s dark hold

The anguish I felt so deeply vaporizes instantly

As I am filled with warm rays of hope

Overflowing with joy and peace

My heart beats alive and vibrant

A spot of color has broken into this image

But something is still amiss

The cold voice still beckons as darkness waits

Shivering, I cling to the reassurance in that scarred hand

I gaze into the desolate place where I once dwelled

My soft warm heart aches as I behold

People of empty eyes and hopeless lives

A soft whisper fills my ear, “Show them.”

The spark burst into flame as I realize

It’s my turn to be the kind word- the warm touch

He has chosen me to share His radiance

Maybe- just maybe- I can show them the reality of hope

To pour His powerful love into this picture

Bringing vibrant life in color and light

As it was meant to be

~Alaina Mathers

2/3/10

I wrote this after Rick, one of the staff members here, shared one of his favorite verses at team devotions in Italy.

Matthew 24:12-14

~ And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ~

I really liked the imagery Rick used in talking about how when we turn from God we are in the cold and that sin creeps in like a breath of cold air. Our compassion and love for people and desire to share the love of our Lord Jesus should be as a warming beating heart, alive and vibrant. When we choose sin, we become a dark, empty, hollow without faith or hope. But when we choose God, we receive the gift of life filled with hope and light and a faith that is very much alive and vibrant. In that faith, we are filled with compassion and love for those who are trapped in this hard, cold, dark place where we live. It is rarely easy, but we can spread the warmth if we stay faithful, and keep our eyes on Christ until the end.