A Poem that developed out of a time of prayer in which wrestle the tension between my own humanity's frustrating limitation and frailty, yet it's God-given beauty and dignity. I pray that this resonates and helps you find Jesus in the tension:

Poem- “Bloody Flesh and Bones”

You say don’t be afraid, 

you’re fearfully and wonderfully made

You say this because you know

That what I’m most afraid of is my humanity,

This bloody flesh and bones

You say that everything I need to be the man you’ve made me to be, Is already in me. 

Even that your Kingdom is within me.

But sometimes I can’t seem to find it.. or… him.

Between temptations, thoughts, and fears

confusion, lies, and the like

It feels like the man I’m supposed to be

lies far beyond my reach. 

Not because I don’t want to be him, 

I really do, and sometimes I see him, 

I feel like he’s there but before long as I stare into who I could be I sense deeply who I’m not, this bloody flesh and bones seems to blur my vision. 

In all honesty, at times I feel unable, 

like that version of me is just a fable.

Something seems array, 

why is it so hard sometimes!? 

I guess I blame it all on this bloody flesh and bones.

Jesus: 

Or maybe, this flesh and bones isn’t just bloody, but blessed. 

Not as much perverse and unpleasant

As profound and purposeful, a present. 

I understand your struggle, and your tension, I get it it, I get you.

But don’t forget I put on flesh and bones and let it be bloodied so yours could be blessed.

I was human too, being Messiah meant meeting hard head on, 

temptations, thoughts, and fears

confusion lies and the like,

I faced them all and came out the other side

I even conquered death with resurrection life.

And now the blessed flesh and bones with which I formed you, 

is where I make my home in you. 

So when you feel like your humanity is hindering you from being who I made you to be, 

remember that though this flesh and bones may bleed, 

it’s not as much bloody, as it is blessed.

And I gladly choose dwell in this blessed flesh and bones.