Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Poor (08/29/24)
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TITLE: The Scent of True Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dave Mudford
09/03/24 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
scented rose of pure delight?
or maybe the sweat of brow
people wrestling through their fight.
Exposed bones reveal their hunger,
sad eyes are seen in every smile,
hope captured by their desperation
never a chance for them to rest a while,
their self-respect left hanging at the gallows…
Reckless indifference crowds our lives
wasteful lurching,
desires seeking,
compassion captured by our rush,
we are painting pretty pictures, while we turn our eyes away;
love misplaced as disgrace is yelled.
Greed abusing the weak and broken
bruising innocence through our selfish pride,
light captured by our dark shadows
as we wonder how true mercy died.
A poor and starving child, wanders from our sight
hidden by our precious steeples,
the cross captured by our own importance,
Are we being too careful
that the blood does not stain our garments?
What is the smell of the church in action?
is it one filled with sweet perfume
or the stench of the homeless plight?
the smelly feet of broken
finding safe refuge in the night,
love not just in the spoken
but filling darkness with His light.
.
What is the flavour of real grace?
one that is easy on the taste
or appetites salted with our tears
a meal of richness that one shares;
love begins to stretch
broken hearts to reach,
it’s taking love to the edge
making Christ our only pledge,
our hearts forever captured by His love.
What is the sound of worship?
a melody dressed in pretty verse
or the sound of our bended knee?
something we feel that we must rehearse
Or the sound of flesh, being nailed to a tree?
What does true love smell like?
the answer might surprise you
if you take a deep breath, with our Christ around!
Note: Jesus was not afraid of the dirt and grime. He reached out to the poor and discarded, entering into our dusty streets. Washing the filth from the disciples feet, touching lepers and dying on a rugged cross. The scent of the cross was not pleasant - the blood, mutilated flesh, urine and grime, is confronting to our sensibilities.
One church I heard of was providing a shelter for the homeless during the week. The pastor was then hearing complaints by the members of what the church buildings were smelling like on Sunday morning, as the scent of the homeless was still lingering. His reply was stunning and confronting “Take a deep breath – the scent your smelling is the smell of true love”
Are our churches filled with fancy perfumes and scents or filled with the scent of true love? What about our homes and hearts, what are we called to smell like? We may be poorer than we realize!
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Blessings
"What is the sound of worship?
a melody dressed in pretty verse
or the sound of our bended knee?
something we feel that we must rehearse
Or the sound of flesh, being nailed to a tree?"
Well done!
Rips away any dressing and gets to the poor and wounded.
Appreciate it.
All I can say is "WOW! WOW!
WOW!"
Simply enthralling.
Congrats,
God Bless~