I cannot stop the tide of life: it moves at speeds I cannot calculate; it twists and turns and undulates. It thwarts my best paid plans, my stern-set goals. Nothing in this life bends to my will; my trunk is buffeted too bluntly by these waves; my fists smart from clenching atContinue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 5”
Author Archives: Matthew Pullar
Lent: Man of Sorrows 4
Lay me down – slow me down and lay me down upon the Cross, in Jesus’ hands. Slow my heart and silence all the numb self-serving of my pleas; stifle pride, unlock the clench of fists deep in this fickle dust. Lay me down, my soul; lay down my soul in Jesus’ hands. Their scars haveContinue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 4”
Lent: Man of Sorrows 3
Obedience is a crown of thorns. The earth’s the Lord’s; He does as He pleases, and it pleases Him to wear these thorns. Joy set before Him, He endures; joy not instantaneous, I yield. Obedience is a crown of thorns, and I despise this crown. Go into the wilderness; see all earth’s kingdoms laid atContinue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 3”
Lent: Man of Sorrows 2
My God, my God: head full of wounds, You cry. My God, my God: what rupture in the godhead makes perfect veins now burst? What depth of love plumbs so low that even earth shakes at impact? My God, my God, have mercy. I wound my head and choose these depths; yet, Man of Sorrows,Continue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 2”
Lent: Man of Sorrows 1
What fuels my pride is nothing like what You gave up – true God, true man – when you bowed as low as bowing goes, as low as heaven spans. What strikes my face is feather-like beside the spear that pierced Your side; my burdens roll onto the floor beside the death YouContinue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 1”
Lent: Humility 6
Teacher, they say, grant us whatever we ask of you. Assumptions rich in self, they see a throne, and seats on either side; surely theirs? For what other reason do they fight? Yet His kingdom is not of this world; its great ones do not presume, nor grasp. Losing and finding self, they serve, seeingContinue reading “Lent: Humility 6”
Lent: Humility 5
The lie entwines with half-truths: it pleases the eye, and wisdom seems good, yet that which seems deceives, tears apart at the seams the fine-woven fabric of image and praise. Who are we? Like God, yet when we grasp at fruit to be like God, the image dies; the garden turns to dustbowl. O whatContinue reading “Lent: Humility 5”
Lent: Humility 4
Dust I am, precious Lord. Though well-adorned in rags of self, underneath I am dry bone. Daily I wander in search of glory: fine silks to wrap my pride; jewels to garnish ears that do not hear; softest leather to shoe rock-still feet. What can clothe a heart of stone? What perfume can disguise rottingContinue reading “Lent: Humility 4”
Lent: Humility 3
The serpent bites deep; venom lurks where least expected. The heart has chasms, labyrinths, unknown even to itself. What way out have we but to weep? Deceitful beyond all things, the heart’s lie is more twisted than you ever thought. Good intentions pave Destruction’s road; who will rid me of this body of death? FollowContinue reading “Lent: Humility 3”
Lent: Humility 2
Bow at His feet. You did not come here by yourself: your knees are weak and buckle under pride, and joints stiffen when left to self. The road is narrow. You must bend and bow to walk its curves; it will not bend itself for you and, puffed with knowledge, you will only make itContinue reading “Lent: Humility 2”
The Consolations of Writing 