Truth is a dense light,
The word of the Lord — a laser.
He burns away the shell of sin
Allows love to filter in.
I wrote that verse 15 years ago, for a worship service in my home church. I wrote it the year before I left for seminary. Today, I would word the poem differently, based on my experience of God and my years in ministry to broken and hurting people — which is all of us. Something like this:
Truth can be a gentle light
God’s words — a warming flame.
When mercy melts the ice of sin
God’s love can enter in.
Which version speaks to you most?
— Nelsonia