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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Inner Strength (04/20/06)
False accusations spreading rampantly,
Yet I did nothing wrong.
I know what lies ahead –
Suffering, anguish, torture.
I plead for strength to endure.
Oh Father, please!

Lashes begin,
My flesh lacerated, bloody.
Only Your hand on Mine sustains Me.
Don’t let go!
Oh Father, please!

Thorns pierce My forehead,
Blood trickles into my eyes
And mixes with tears of travail and compassion.
I know WHY I must go on.
I know HOW I must go on.
Oh Father, only in Your strength!

Burdensome weight exacerbates open wounds –
Stings, sears beyond imagination.
Yet I can imagine it
With every step,
Shouldering My own cross.
I’m spent.
Where will My strength come from
To complete what I’ve been called upon to do?
Oh Father, please!

On the hilltop,
Longing for a moment of relief,
But pain intensifies with each strike.
Holes pounded through My flesh.
How can it get any worse?
Only Your hand over My blood imbrued one
Can see Me through.
Tighten Your grasp!
Oh Father, I beg You!

Laboring for each breath,
No part of Me escapes the torment.
Without Your strength within Me,
Endurance would be impossible.
Oh Father, only with You!

Your hand? Your hand?
Oh Father, where are You?
My Inner Strength?
My Sustainer?
Assuring Voice?
The most excruciating time of all!
Only thoughts of reuniting with You help Me persevere.
Oh Father, I long to feel Your hand on Mine again!

Oh, I see Your face, Your holy, precious face.
I feel Your hand on My nail-scarred one.
To be with You,
To bring others to You,
Elation overwhelms Me!
No moment of suffering in vain.
Your strength made this moment possible,
This moment which will last for eternity.
Oh Father, thank You!
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This article has been read 1660 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Helen Paynter
04/28/06
Beautiful, moving and true
Jan Ackerson
04/29/06
How ambitious, to attempt to portray the thoughts of Jesus during His crucifixion--and I think you've done a splendid job. I imagine that this was hard to write. The last stanza was magnificent.
Linda Watson Owen
05/01/06
Oh, yes, what an intense and stirring poem! The line 'No moment of suffering in vain' is simply profound. That is so true for every believer as well as for Christ in His moments of deepest anguish. Entering the thoughts of Christ on the Cross is a life changing experience. You, dear writer, have led us there. Thank you.
Pat Guy
05/02/06
Wow! And wow! What an inspired piece of work! So many poignant parts - 'No moment of suffering in vain.' - is my favorite.

You did a difficult and precious piece very, very well and very skilled.
Karen Rice
05/05/06
This was very powerfully and well written!

Thank you for sharing.
Beth Muehlhausen
05/09/06
Yes, this line is my favorite, too:
"No moment of suffering in vain." This whole thing moves the reader to emotional depths...beyond facts and happenings to the reality of RESPONSE to those facts and happenings. Awesome job. You've captured volumes here in just a few stanzas!

Virginia Gorg
06/16/06
Very moving - so well done. Thanks :)