Every Friday, I spend five minutes or so writing on a word prompt from the Five Minute Friday community. Then, I hit publish. Good for the writing muscles and for cultivating a playful approach to the writing work that can sometimes be taken oh-so-seriously.
when the noise only grows emptier for the volume
and the pitch-perfect performance tastes stale
when being present is counted as presence
and we’re taught to teach by talking instead of listening
when what matters is how well we line the mold
and not who we already image-bearing are
when we pedestal the speakers who parade on stages
and leave their living lies unchallenged
when we measure every motive, excise every emotion,
and still ignore bleeding bodies, suffering minds
when we demand allegiance to flags dripping of Empire
and refuse to own any history we’ve not white-washed
when we proclaim the bondage of law as freedom
and skip the soul of love in every sentence
then I’ll wake up and a backbone will begin to bloom
straight up from the ashy soil in which I’ve sat
and I’ll stand up and walk out and let those
stages and stained glass
be exactly what they are—
illusion
and I’ll stride down the steps and out
into fields set afire with grace
and learn to grow roots and sow love
beyond a single patch of sacredness
and do you know, I won’t even ask to be excused?
Great post Amanda, it seems like we both share a similar way of thinking about connecting with God! Your FMF neighbor 11
This is SO powerful. So the heart of Jesus. This world is not our master; He is. We don’t need to sit in the stands in rapt attention to the show the world puts on. We aren’t required to participate. We can get up and leave at any time, by His authority, no excuse needed.
Incredible!! Very powerful. “These days, I’m all for experiencing God’s presence through myriad ways and means, not just in a morning quiet time or a building called a church”. God is everywhere. We have no excuses to experience his presence. Deirdre FMF#1
Your thoughts are so eloquent AND profound, Amanda! I resonate with what you have written, too – I keep rereading it. Thanks so much! (Karen FMF #8)
If we do walk “into fields set afire with grace and learn to grow roots and sow love,” then we’ll reap a good harvest. Thanks for sharing, Amanda.
Lisa, FMF #13
May it be. Thank you, Lisa!
Amanda, So wonderfully spoken. You hit the nail on the head. Thank you for this blessed post. Blessings.
FMF#5
~Selah~
Paula, I really appreciate that—thank you so much!
Absolutely wonderful, Amanda. I too have learned that we can no longer confine God to the little box we put Him in because it suits us to have Him be that way. He is infinitely larger than that and each of us relates to Him in unique ways.
Your words flow so beautifully!
Oh wow, yes he is! Thank you so much, Corinne