Poetry

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I spent recent weeks
In unfeeling aridness
But while trekking
In Your tailor made dryness
I was changed

The raging wind roared
Over the sound of Your voice
Yet though I couldn't hear You speak
I learned to know Your consistently abiding presence

You used gritty sand to scour me
Rasping away all the outside scars and scales
While buffing and polishing inside
Firmly, yet gently with Your Spirit's love

I was tried
By Your desert's purifying fire
Until that unsightly clump of dross
Erupted and quickly surfaced
Where You patiently skimmed it off
Till all the remaining traces were gone
The poisonous negativism I had hoarded
You mercifully burned out
Leaving a gaping, empty, leftover crater

The venom was gone, I was delivered
But Your incomprehensible love
Didn't tarry there
In that desolate desert
You filled me brim overflowing
With Your gift of living, sweet water
Bubbling forth with praise
And adoration from the mouth of me

I watched enraptured
For everywhere Your freed river touched
The desert was quickened,
Blooming in brilliance
And brought forth lasting fruit.
Oh, Lord Jesus, was this reviving water
The gift I so vehemently refused
To allow You to speak through me
In the merciful wisdom of Your love?

Forgive me, Father, forgive me!
Thank You for Your patient perseverance
Which chastened me through the waterless desert
And delivered me from my stubborn bondage.

I praise You for Your precious gift,
Your Spirit now pours through me
So that I might have the invaluable blessing
Of being used
You have made me a yielded tongue
Speaking mysteries in the Spirit unto God
I regret only that I held You off so long!!!

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