It Is Finished

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Mt. 5:3)

~

“Insufficient, inadequate, incomplete

blemished, defective,” shame repeats.

Judged by your critics, mocked by the crowd.

Soiled, unclean, you’re second-hand stuff,

flawed, unacceptable, discarded, thrown out.

Rejected by others . . . you’re just not enough.

~

What you did’s not the problem.

It’s what you . . . couldn’t do

defining the framework of how you view you.

Identity stolen―the deepest of traps.

Who you are is the issue.

How . . . do . . . you . . . recover from that?

~

Head hanging down, heart breaking inside.

Someone kneels down to the you that’s despised.

So gentle this hand that now lifts your chin

eyes full of mercy, pure kindness within.

~

“Let Me clothe you with honor

and drape you in grace

wipe the tears from your eyes

wash the shame from your face.

~

The garment I give you? No need to be hemmed.

It’s seamlessly woven with no fraying ends.

Nothing is lacking. It’s yours now to wear.

Despised and rejected?

That was My cross to bear.

~

I need you to hear Me.

You’re chosen . . . and treasured . . .

you’re My precious prize.

Costly the purchase that made you all Mine.

You ravish My heart with one glance from your eyes.

Your value is priceless . . . secure for all time.

Let Me cancel those wretched, tormenting lies.

~

Golden the scepters, and sparkling your crowns.

New names you bear now, names of renown.

Regal your calling―no more head hanging down.

You’re princes, and kings, and queens with new gowns.

~

No need for performance.

I have finished it all.

It’s Me who is flawless, perfect, complete.

The gift I give freely? My royalty seat.”

~

Scripture says we were created in the image of God. What is the picture you hold in your mind of who you are? In the first half of this poem, negative labels were communicated by the enemy of our souls, either through others, or whispered directly into our ears and we owned them as our thoughts. Sometimes in the immaturity of childhood thinking, we draw our own inaccurate conclusions about ourselves and our world based on our experiences with, or observations of, others. Are there negative labels that have plagued you, other than the ones in the poem? What are they? Have you asked the Spirit of God what He says about you instead? If so, what did He say? If not, ask Him now. Consider writing a creative piece of your own to embody the response.

In the second half of the poem, new images are being proposed through the eyes of how Christ sees us. Can you visualize and meditate on being clothed in honor, or being draped in grace, or Jesus stooping down and, with the gentlest of hands, lifting your chin until your eyes meet His?  How do those images feel to you? Can you embrace them? If not, consider asking God to reveal to you what blocks you from receiving those truths.