I wrote this early one Sunday morning in 2012 after morning devotions. I had been reading much from my Bonhoeffer library, and I believe I had been reading the 107th Psalm on Sunday too. I think I was influenced by my general contemplation on silence as well; it has been on my mind recently. I see too the influence of my celebration of the new ministry of one of my friends from Divine Intervention.
Today in Christ
Today I am in Christ,
Not only in Grace,
Not only in Faith.
Today I give thanks to God because he is good,
and my faith is filled with mercy and love,
and I am with Christ today.
I am in and of Christ. I rejoice!
We use this grace divine, and in one accord,
join ourselves to Christ, our Lord.
Through Jesus’ power, today we live and die in the body.
Having wandered so many years and so many days,
Am I now rescued from my troubles?
Troubles are still there, but
Seen from Christ’s eyes,
These troubles seem here and not in our Lives.
He changes deserts into lakes in our times.
He changes the ignorant into teachers and physicians.
He changes alcoholics into bright-eyed missionaries.
He changes the Lost into the New-Found.
He changes me into the Body.
Today I am in Sabbath, and I am quiet.
I listen.
Let me, when I am too wise to know it,
When I am too smart to pay attention,
Let me, when I am wise in the Word,
Let me understand and share the Lord’s blessings.
(c) Tom Bolton, July 22, 2012, Milwaukee