country poetry & more

Gardens of Suffering

Sweat drops of blood wet Jesus’ brow, as in the garden he prayed,

yet he endured the cross with joy, for there our souls were saved.

The weight of our sins was agony, too much for a mortal man,

but he gladly shouldered all the blame, working God’s eternal plan.

Partaking of his body is to share his righteous goal.

To weekly drink his precious blood is cleansing to the soul.

Remembering the sacrifice so gladly offered there,

with humility and thankfulness, we breathe an earnest prayer

that we will gladly suffer the death of our own will

to follow in the path he trod up Golgotha’s hill.

Before producing any fruit, a kernel of grain must die.

Continuing in our selfishness is His love to deny.

In baptism we are buried with Christ and raised to start anew

as saints and priest in the kingdom, fresh as the morning dew.

The gift of the Spirit revives us, nourishing new life within,

no longer burdened with the guilty verdict for our sin.

The cross represents redemption, the empty tomb our hope.

Though we can’t explain all that happens to us, we have a telescope

that helps us see the outcome, the victory in Christ,

eternal bliss in heaven bought by his sacrifice.

We have different ways to share the Bible’s news of resurrection--

Reasoning and common sense are great for introspection.

We can teach by testimony of how our lives were changed

by the Spirit’s sweet in-dwelling, our thinking rearranged.

Like the Samaritan woman at the well, we can invite–Come see!

Or by serving others, like Dorcas, or Jesus on bended knee.

Only by showing that we care will folks care what we know.

In dying to self and living for Christ, we can his righteousness show,

planting the seed of grace and truth in the garden of the heart.

By discipline and example we can His love impart.

Cora Gail Trent

(From a sermon by Roger Holm)

Cora Gail Trent

www.cgtrent.com

cgtrent@att.net