The Light of Jesus shines through

Paul
in captivity
tight
yet
freedom
reigned
within
his soul.

He was
a prisoner,
yes,
but not of
some people group
or government
but rather
for the Lord.

The bars
kept his body
imprisoned
yet his soul
was free
to be and do
the work of
His Lord.

The darkness
did not
overcome
him

The Light
of Jesus
shined
through him
and beyond him

Messages
sent forth
beyond the cold
and damp
and solitude
to
buoy,
encourage
others
even you and me
in the days ahead
for centuries to come.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Aug. 27, 2018
based on devotional readings
in Streams in the Desert

Our longings are with Jesus

We long to be
where we are not
We think our efforts
to find and dwell
and be satisfied
will be
right around the next bend.

But it is not.

Our longings are not
found in another person
or another place

Our longings
are with Jesus
God Himself
Our Creator
Our First Love
Our shelter and refuge
Our confidante

Our home is in the heavens
That is where we long to be
Long to have
But many do not see
and many who come in search
do not find what they have sought
and many do not know where to go.

But there remains
a remnant
of God
who search and find
who see
and know where to go

It is I, is it not Lord Jesus,
to show another
the way to Your Holy Throne?

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Aug. 26, 2018