I was there

After 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

I was there when they came

with pikes and sticks and rocks

and often felt the pain

of stick and rock against skin

I was there when they came

chains and locks

dragging me through filth

into a darkened cell with rats

and lice and roaches for cellmates

I was there when the mob

screamed for my head, my blood

demanding my life for a perception

a rumor

I was there when they plotted

to kill me, when they were so

filled with hate that they

lashed and struck with reeds

I was there.

So was he.

Photograph by Louis Blythe via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Faith is

After 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

It’s not a warm electric blanket

she said it’s the cross

it’s troubles and hardships,

he said it’s beatings and prison,

it’s insults and taunts

it’s watching your reputation

trashed it’s being considered

an imposter it’s being dishonored

and lied about it’s sorrow

and poverty it’s ridicule

it’s having nothing it’s also

glory and encouragement it’s

protection and endurance it’s

understanding and purity it’s

kindness and patience it’s

rejoicing and righteousness it’s

possessing everything

it’s life the only way life

makes sense it’s rebirth

it’s salvation it’s the rock

Photograph by Hanny Naibaho via Unsplash. Used with permission.