While I’m preparing the next post on Citizens United, which I suppose in its own way is devotional also, it seems appropriate to present a different type of devotional. Certainly it’s shorter and easier to read. This reflects love also, but directed in a less traditional way.
Pass-Marked for Thee
Oh my soul, such experiences, so passing strange –
Where are your startled thoughts flying to?
My soul-thoughts are flying to the Lord,
to reach his fountained-translucent, triple-dimensioned city.
And what comforts, what staff of holiness will you find there,
O my soul, passing through this gray world of barren mazes?
What angelic dazzlements will you search out
In his anchored, ethereal city descending from above?
I will find the well and treasure of life, says my soul,
inexhaustible life which does not pass away,
light of, radiating from the One living Source.
I will find my shared life in a Savior’s breath, life everlasting.
Will you find gates of flame, O my soul, as you travel?
Armor against darkness, purging dross –
Silent, decisive proof against the Destroyer.
Will you find guards, vigilant, unwavering?
Yes, I will find the eternity-gates, to protect what is sacred,
answers a poet from his soul. I will find guards, dignified, sober,
fierce at their checkpoints. Passage is precious. Who measures this price?
Holiness adorns the lightning-path set before us.
How will you overpass them, dove-winged, fluttering soul?
How will you glide and alight to arrive before such timeless gates?
Father-ordained, built on the Savior’s triumphant concluding passion –
How will you give true password to such guards, to enter into the psalm-pure city?
My soul is sealed, say I, purposed in election, declaring my gifted faith,
as great angels pass over me – so that I, striped with battle, may pass through.
Sealed with blood from that Paschal Sacrifice, Ancient of Days,
I will pass into the Holy City, carried on tongues of fire.
City of my God, glorious-ever in your unvanquished being, surpassing glory!
I will praise-enter your gates crystalline in my soul, exuberant-exalting in greeting,
Wedding-robed from above, soul-feasting, pass-marked on heart, head and hand
with Lamb’s Blood incense-given to purify sinners, High-Priest’s purpose fulfilled.
O Thou City of Grace – I see you! I see you! Bursting with Life! Admitting even me!
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