Beyond the power of comprehension,
beyond the realm of understanding,
beyond the grasp of knowledge,
beyond the scope of explanation:

So is the love of God,
the richness of his mercies,
the depth of his kindness,
the strength of his grace.

His forgiveness extends beyond my greatest sin,
his blessings surpass all my shortcomings,
his comfort exceeds all my sorrows,
his patience transcends all my failures.

He has chosen to bestow 
upon such weak and unworthy vessels,
the anointing of choosing and using,
the indwelling of his very Spirit,

To bear fruit from his toiling of this polluted soil:
love, joy, peace, patience, 
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.

From the ruins of thorns and thistles,
from the aftermath of Eden’s lost innocence,
to every heart and soul aching for the essence of Christ,
he has given evidence of our holy inheritance,

Working within us both to desire and to do,
an overpowering through submission of carnal flesh,
a yielding to the divine spirit
that proves the promise of heaven.

Burnishing our hearts and minds with Unseen Fire,
lifting us from the mire of the world,
washing from us the stench of filth,
setting us free from sin and death,

He has placed within us his own breath,
granting us new birth not sourced in this earth,
cleansing us and bidding us to shine like stars
in the pure glow of holiness and humility:

To live a life worthy of our calling.


H. Arnett
7/12/2023