I don’t mean to sound judgmental…
This is not my purpose here.
Yet the Spirit points to some short comings
In some I hold so dear…
Some I so lovingly looked up to…
Who profess the Christian faith
Seem caught up in a “Look at me…
I’m so perfect!” here of late.
They’re quick to point out many things
They’ve never touched or tasted.
And those of us who’ve done these things
Are made to feel so wasted.
I’d like to say to these that boast
That my perfection is in Christ…
And when the Father looks at me
He sees me through His sacrifice.
And those sins you’ve not committed
Have lost their hold on me…
The person that I was back then
Has a brand new identity.
Recall the story Jesus told
Of two men who went to pray?
One who bragged so big to God
And one who couldn’t look His way?
Which one did the Father hear?
Oh, please do consider this.
An humble spirit God accepts
But a proud one will resist.
It could be my sins were blacker
Than yours have ever been…
But the God I serve is color blind
And to Him a sin’s a sin!
You’re like cotton candy Christians…
So sweet yet I still see
That spun up too high attitude
That looks down on folks like me.
Please consider none of us
Are worthy of God’s Grace…
Yet God gifted us with Jesus
Who’s granted all who’ll come a place.
My mansion may sit next to yours…
Would you think you’re much too good?
Think you deserve much better?
Earned a better neighborhood?
This childish game has got to stop…
And I still care enough to say
Take a good look at your own backyards
Before you throw those stones my way.
Doris Jacobs-Covington
September 7, 2012
~~AUTHOR'S NOTE~~
This poem was inspired by a conversation
held with one of my nieces... it seems she was made to
feel unworthy...like she didn't measure to the requirements
of being a Christian...but isn't there just one requirement? Isn't that
believing and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior? But I believe we could
all learn a lesson from the words of this poem...and we should all be
open to correction...not one of us is more saved or better than the next!
We are all unfinished products...still under construction.
:
He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."