SIMPLY THE BEST
Mediocre is not an option. Nor
average, normal or just OK.
Listening to the world, we allow
ourselves to be labelled by others -
fat, thin, good -looking, misfit,
rich, famous, reject, stupid -
when the truth is, our identity
is in none of these things.
We are not a label, a price tag,
a set of instructions or a mere thing.
We are so much more.
What we are is special, wonderful,
awesome, chosen, delighted in,
made in His image, precious,
thought out and constantly thought of.
No half-measures, almost finished,
not wanted or rejects.
But totally, absolutely 100% loved
and cherished by God.
And when He looks at us -
with eyes full of tears and a
heart bursting with love - He
sees much more than a person,
a creation of His, a child of God.
What He sees causes Him to
overflow with sheer delight and proclaim
"Simply the best!!"

TURN AND SEE
What did you expect to see when you
beheld the bloodied, bruised and battered
face of the man?
Did the seeming serenity which, at first
glance, shone out from him surprise you?
Almost appearing to defy belief?
And as you took a second, longer look,
taking time to gaze deeper into those
battle -weary eyes, what struck you then?
Could you see what they had seen?
The beatings, brutally undertaken by soldiers
filled with bravado? perhaps the sense of
betrayal by his friends caught you?
or the helplessness as, plunged into sudden
darkness, the same soldiers played blindfold
games, using him as the bait?
Is that what you saw?
Whatever it was you were captivated.
For, again and again, you kept returning to
gaze upon his face. Why? what captured you?
The wounds? the eyes full of love and tears?
the crown of thorns on his battered head?
the lips, which spoke no words of malice?
What was it? why did you fix your gaze
on that man?
Finally, exhausted from questioning, i too allow
myself to look upon the face of this man.
As he prepares to die. For you and me.
And then i see it.
The look of forgiveness. Of love. Of agony.
Of willingness to suffer. Of total sacrifice.
And now I too am captivated.