It seems a simple choice:
faith over law
but faith leads to freedom
and freedom frightens.
Our flesh would rather cling to
the seeming safety of walls
and to-do lists with neat boxes
we can check off or crawl into.
We do so love painting ourselves
into corners or escaping
into the mountains
imagining Jezebel
on our heels
especially when we feel
naked and alone.
But then comes faith
ushering us into
a world of the miraculous
as when God fed Elijah
from his own kitchen
sent angels to his side
bearing jars of refreshment
to quench his thirst for water
and companionship—
though in truth
he was never really alone.
There were 7,000 souls
as faithful as he.
Yes it is faith that leads
to community.
We drape ourselves in Christ
the patterns of our lives
blend with his
and we become one:
rich and poor, slave and free,
man and woman, you and me—
beloved all
and welcomed equally.
1 Kings 19:1–18, Galatians 3:23–29