Radically Happy

Hat tip to GracefulAddict for reminding me to ask: what am I addicted FROM?

When cares of this world
Make my heart wring
Christ calls to my soul:
“I’m already King

I know you feel scared
That’s part of the plan
It’s My greatest gift
To woman and man!”

“You’ve got to be kidding”
I say to His face
“Why would the Father
Intend this disgrace?”

He speaks not a word
But stretches out arms
I shudder in pain
As He feels this world’s harms

“Go on, strike the nail
With rage from your loss
This world won’t make sense
Til you confront My cross”

I take up the hammer
My face curled in hate
I crucify Him
While I bemoan my fate

“Why did You abandon
This world on that day.
How could You leave us
And force me to stay?”

I break down in sorrow
O’er whelmed by my dread
For though I have killed Him
I’m sad God is dead

I hang there remorseless
Tween heaven and earth
And like Job I curse
The day of my birth

“You see now the folly
That men must relive?
Why should I trust You?
How can I forgive!?”

Three days and three nights
I lie down with death
Seeking the numbness
Of my final breath

In sheer exhaustion
At last I close eyes
Only to wake up
In startled surprise

I stand in a garden
Fruitful and sweet
And yet it is also
My very own street!

I see souls of men
Who grow up like trees
While angels attend them
Dancing on the breeze

Our roots all combine
In God’s great world tree
Yet in their dividing
Is one part called “Me”

My Lord stands beside me
Without spot or wrinkle
And though he sounds somber
His eyes start to twinkle

“You see now the glory
Of which you are part
And how separation
Is where it must start”

I fall to my knees
My self I despise
But Jesus just smiles
And bids me to rise

“Don’t fear the illusion
Or despise your shame
It’s the only way
To forge a new Name

Just trust in My promise
Until it’s proved true
My Kingdom’s already
Begun here in you!”

“Some Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom would come. He answered, “God’s kingdom isn’t something you can see. There is no use saying, ‘Look! Here it is’ or ‘Look! There it is.’ God’s kingdom is here with you.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭CEV‬‬