Snakebit
Slowly,
so leisurely
I do not take notice,
the dullness of sin
wraps itself about
my fluttering hopes
(until I can no longer
see my soul
in front of me);
slyly,
whispering comforting
words of emptiness,
my murmurs of discontent
meander through my heart
until they become
the only voice
I trust;
sinuously,
with a wink,
a turn of the head,
a flicker of its tongue,
success wends its way
around my faith
squeezing tighter and tighter
until I have no breath
left
to offer praises.
But with the sharp point
of a nail,
you excise my wounds,
anointing them with grace,
wrapping them in
the balm of your
love.
Galatians 5: 13-18
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.