IN TRUTH

For this I am certain-

I have witnessed the glory of the Lord in the land of the living.

In places no human should live,

surrounded by an enemy so fierce, a force so dark.

Lies falling from malevolent lips, whispering contempt,

“God cannot. He will not, come near.”

Breaking wounds wide open, fear seeping deeply,

“Can you hear me?”

Hushed screaming, silent terror,

deafening silence.

Furthermore, forgiveness.

God is light and in Him is no shadow,

no trace of darkness as a breaking dawn shines.

I have witnessed His hands illuminating bright life

to blind, bind, and destroy evil.

The walls covered, dripping inky blackness

bound and tattered, stripped of soul.

Constant grasping at nothing, feeling everything,

“I know you are here.”

Beating heart, flesh from stone,

breath from death.

Because, brave.

Of this I am certain-

I have felt the strong, safe, and loving arms of my Father

gather me from deception’s depths

made of terror and self-destruction.

Draw close He must. Come near He did.

“Because she knows my name,” He spoke. “I will rescue her.

Here, now she will fear evil no more.”

Wounded spirit bathed in redemption’s light,

“I will follow you.”

My beautiful refuge, my brave fortress,

my bold tower of truth.

Therefore, trust.

I have felt the peaceful presence of the Lord

rain down upon me, as I called out.

Rivers of living water rushing from the heart,

crying from the depths of my soul.

A calm serenity bolstered by the Holy Spirit

living within by His mercy and grace,

Even as my heart crumbled to pieces and

the fractured splinters of my mind fell.

Shattering strongholds of mirrored illusions,

“Only you are real.”

In quietness, in trust,

an obedience of faith arises.

Although, adoration.

Certainty wells up from the rivers of my heart,

pooling grace steeped in His mercy.

Dwelling richness, praising the powerful name of the Lord

walking weakness worships with joy,

the name of He who saved me. Emboldened, my spirit awakens.

Unexplainable wisdom overflowing as deep calls unto deep,

the rush of His waterfalls, solid beneath,

feet on oceans, waves of grace,

“Don’t let me go.”

Cleansing blood, glorious splendor,

awestruck wonder.

Remember, reverence.

Of this I am certain-

I have trusted the Lord my God with every fiber of my being.

Giving Him all things, laid at His feet,

surrendered fully and wrapped in His arms.

The broken pieces of a shattered life

spent wasted and high witnessing beauty from ashes arise.

Unshakable conviction of the unseen,

the assurance of hope pouring out praise.

Foundations of faith, mansions above seated

in His love, “I am home.”

Elohim, my Creator. God, my Savior.

Holy Spirit, my Comforter.

Moreover, meek.

God is the designer of my existence-

A potter, a painter, the tailor of the great fabric of life.

I have seen the hands of God with the thread

of love stitching a perfect design in the ruined places.

Out of the dirt comes the breath of life,

blooming roses beautifully adorned with thorns of the past.

A seed is just a seed until one believes

of what is dwelling within, as new life emerges.

Planted deep, watered by the Word,

followed closely, “I erupt with the shades of your glory.”

I am the clay. I am the canvas.

I am a coat of many colors.

Likewise, love.

And, yet again, I am certain-

God is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is

there is freedom. I have been set free yet

held captive by His presence. Kneeling knees, flying wings

soar above the depths of death and grave-

Come alive dry bones, bow down, and cast your crown at his feet.

Sing with the elders and angels to the One and Only.

A song never-ending, forever praising.

Breath by breath, grace upon grace,

and glory to glory.

However, hope.

“Take my hand, I will not let you go. Even bleeding and broken,

you are not forsaken.” He whispered to my soul.

And as the birds rise with the dawn,

notes of joy lifting to the heavens, my words will tell of your redeeming, unfailing love, and sing songs of deliverance

to your name. Of this truth, I know.

In quietness and trust, is my rest.

In spirit and truth,

I worship.

In obedience of faith,

I am certain.

He is, the great

I AM..