Who can stand?
Under the gaze of the One
who profoundly seeing
knows all occasions of my being
.
my sin – scattered wide and deep
by me, from me
against imaged neighbours and God
my foolishness – in speech and actions, emails and whatsapps
nouns, verbs, and moments of absurdity,
ugly flight from goodness and simple beauty
my brokenness – not only done by me but against me
warped stories twisting our histories
shameful burdens and baggage borne
.
Who can stand?
Except with open hands –
humbled, needy
a creature thirsty, asking for grace
.
And given it, to the point of sonship
the assurance of Christ’s clothing
to cover our nakedness
our circumstanced bruises and deliberate rap sheets
our moments of insanely inane stupidity
all encompassed by a greater identity
polished by the present Spirit
a newness of name
gifted only by the Creator-Redeemer
.
Who can stand?
Only those standing
because of the One who stands for them
rep’ed before the highest heavenly throne
.
Him –
our anchor of relational security and justice
Sheltered by his commitment,
his faithfulness
Received by our leaning on him,
no matter our record
Under the Father who
neither forgets what should be upheld
nor Cancels those who can be Forgiven
.
What vanity to think I can restore my vanity to the point of perfection
to polish up and over what is blemished beyond flawless renovation
to erase the spots of culpability and disgrace that always show
no matter the paint or performance
.
Who can stand?
None but those in Him
I stand because of Christ and Him alone
Free at last I stand in Him, and walk
Are you an isiZulu speaker?
The same poem was kindly translated by a team mate and is available here: Ubani ongama?
Taste and see... 