Part 6 — A Friend on the Mountain

my scorching faults burn beyond enumeration
these torrents of rules taunt my rebellious bones
yet who among us has no challenges and trials
and while justice is a strict guardian of all laws
its dark mirror prefers lessons in harsh revenge
and since I can’t afford good legal representation
my broken heart pleads for an easier redemption
in my God, my Savior, my Brother, and my Friend
He rescues me by enduring the demands of justice
to extinguish all the fires of my mind and heart
with cooling waters of infinite and abundant grace
a grace that only comes—by also becoming merciful
to every needful soul who seeks a cure of liberty
 and if we could comprehend such perfect mercy
we would also realize—that it is one gift of love
that can also be carried far beyond an earthly grave
that can bring down all the wretched prison walls
tormenting renewed hearts and spirits of the pure
for not long after—a vast forest burns to black
after it is baptized in snows of redeeming grace
it will rise again—from soft, verdant floors of hope
to sprout in its glorious flowers of fresh posterity
 yes—forgiveness is hard—especially forgiving us
but it is the surest way—to receive lasting mercy

(Matthew 5:7)