Christpower

We're about to start a new season of "Living the Questions" at St Bride's. Preparing to lead the course again I found myself side-tracked by this wonderful poem...

CHRISTPOWER

Look at him!
Look not at his divinity,
but look, rather, at his freedom.
Look not at the exagerrated tales of his power,
but look, rather, at his infinite capacity to give himself away.
Look not at the first-century mythology that surrounds him,
but look, rather, at his courage to be,
his ability to live the contagious quality of his love.
Stop your frantic search!
Be still and know that this is God:
this love,
this freedom,
this life,
this being;
and
When you are accepted,
accept yourself;
When you are forgiven,
forgive yourself;
When you are loved,
love yourself.
Grasp that Christpower
and
dare to be yourself!

JOHN SHELBY SPONG 1973