The Shepherd

The Shepherd’s Touch

Good Shepherd, 

I’ve been too mad at you to let you touch me,

throwing punches in the air,

fighting the wind to keep you away.

But the truth is

I. AM. LOST.

I’ve been wandering in your silence’s wilderness,

longing for the Shepherd to find me.

My body and soul are fainting,

yearning for you,

for the sound of your voice,

for the warmth of your arms,

for the touch of your hand.

Come, Good Shepherd,

hear my wandering cries,

rescue me from this futile battle,

where I fight for your embrace

but push you away

throwing punches to the wind.  

I am lost and scared.

I don’t know how to live without you,

I don’t want to learn!

Why is fighting easier than surrendering?

If I fight, you remain at arm's length,

but if I surrender, you come closer than breath. 

Surrender is intimacy’s road.

You come close enough to shear my wool, 

close enough to be smeared with my mud,

close enough to see my naked soul,

close enough to know my truest parts.

The discomfort of intimacy 

makes me throw punches to the air.

But I’m tired of fighting,

and I’m done pretending

that I’m ok on my own

and I don’t need You to care.

Come close my Shepherd, my Beloved!

I surrender to intimacy’s rest

in the safety of your arms 

and the warmth of your touch.

Surrender is the road to joy.

Amen