a martyred heart

For a martyred heart, death has already occurred.

The turning away from the empty, fleshly desires that desperately crave,

mouthwatering like a ravenous wolf.

Oh, why does a soul crave momentary feelings?

 

For my Savior came down to earth,

clothed in flesh and blood,

and walked among the dust.

His life proclaimed perfect compassion,

healing, and the ultimate answer-

the key to every heart that will ever beat, unlocking abundant life.

 

He suffered and walked the road of calvary,

dripping blood, screaming in agony

that came from an act of love

for the most wretched of creatures.

 

Humans who had wanted nothing to do with Him,

witnessed the power and sacrifice of a holy God

who deserves all the honor and glory.

 

The depths of hell rejoiced at the sight

of the death of the only Savior, our only hope.

The fiery grasp tightened its grip on every soul.

For that is what I deserved…

Hell, and the punishment for my rebellion and a dark,

cold heart that did not desire godliness.

 

Yet, the Savior breathed once again,

and the light overtook the darkness.

The depths of the grave had no hold on Him.

He alone is the way. He is our only hope. Our sweet truth.

The only way we have life.

 

And He says “This is for all people…”

This God withholds no good thing

and in Him is abundant life, peace, joy, and freedom.

He offers a life away from the empty pleasures that destroy us.

A life of living water and a warm fire in our hearts.

 

Why, oh my soul, would you hesitate?

How do you forget that every day as the sun rises and falls?

 

Father, reveal to me the hidden parts from within that selfishly grasp the earth and its gain.

Convict me of corners deep down that are dark.

Rid me of myself.

Strip me of the rags of shame I use to cover and hide from You.

Let my knees hit the ground hard in full surrender.

What a joy it is to be free from the chains that weigh heavily,

breaking off the circulation of a heart beating for a good King.

 

Here, I give myself to You.

I trust in Your loving hands and gentle touch.

What more could I want?

I give You every part of me.

I won’t hide the brokenness.

I won’t hesitate to hide the ugliness and the fear.

Empty myself of the dark ocean within me.

I fully desire to abandon it all.

Let me walk, fully exposed and completely abandoned.

Let me dance in Your light, spending a lifetime on my knees

In joyful surrender.

 

Here, I am.

Here, I die.

What bliss overflows my heart as I live my life

as though I have already joyfully given it up.

For this is the purpose of my being,

And here I am satisfied.

 

For my lifetime,

let the desires of my flesh be daily and utterly dead

so that if I must be physically beaten, punched, spat at, and die for You,

then my body will align with my spirit and rejoice to follow the deepest desire of my soul.