By Melissa McLaughlin
Holy Spirit, breathe through me
Fill my lungs with your heavenly freshness
Rush through me, mighty River, with cleansing force
Routing any debris left behind by squandered living
Open wide the doors of my heart
Preparing the way for the King of Glory
Whip open my windows with your windy fury
Sweeping out any dust that has settled in untouched corners
Tired old microscopic remnants of undisturbed ideas and habits
Remaining in place unless stirred by You
Carve away the ragged edges of my prideful will
Though it hurt
Till my heart is smoothed and stilled by the face of my Suffering Servant King
Help me take up arms to dethrone myself again today
Let me stop at nothing
Sword, belt, breastplate, helmet, shoes and shield
Until You alone are seated on the throne of my heart once more
Pierce me with your Living Word
Truth running strong and free into my soul
I give you the keys to my mind
Protect nothing there from your searing Word
Let me bleed with gratitude from the heart
For all that I have done
In exchange for the Mighty One’s blood who now covers me
Let me bleed with joy for Your Word and Your Son with all the love of my heart
Let me not become numb to Your movement, Your call, Your pulse
Let me not be among the walking dead who roam the earth today
For when my wounds drip blood from Holy Spirit fire
Only then do I remember the power of the Blood that runs through my veins
Only then do I know
I am truly alive
Photo © Melissa McLaughlin
Wow. Just wow! I will be reading this one again and again… It speaks so deeply to my soul! Thank you for blessing us with your beautiful poetry, Melissa!! <3 <3
Thank you so much, Lynn, for your affirmations! I’m grateful you found this poem stirring. Glory to God, our Living Word!
<3 <3
Such wonderful imagery, Melissa!
Dear Elle, thank you for stopping by and for the encouragement. I am looking forward to reading more of your poems! God bless you!
Beautiful and amen!
Awesome picture!
Thank you for the encouraging words! The picture was taken while I was sitting in a McDonald’s parking lot and those seagulls were flying in circles above. I just snapped a quick shot and got that gem. Can you believe that? Just shows how God is always speaking through nature, if we will only pause long enough to see and hear. Even in a McDonald’s parking lot!
Very true!
The image of breathing the refreshing air that comes from the Holy Spirit and experiencing the fulfilling life of Christ is clearly my desire.
Thank you, Pastor Craig, for visiting and sharing your heart for Jesus! May the Holy Spirit continue to anoint and flow through your words and your life! Your sermons are poetry for the soul every Sunday. May Jesus be known, loved and lifted up! God bless you!
Beautifully said! I thanks so much for placing the words on the page that read like modern Psalms.
Thank you, Kristina, for stopping by and for your words of encouragement! All glory to God! Please keep me in your prayers, that His ink flows through my pen. Blessings and love!
Amazingly said! Thank you for clearly and passionately sharing your craft with us
Dear Takeeia, thank you for the words of encouragement. May God be praised! I appreciate you, your faith and your love for poetry and spoken word that exalts the Lord! God bless you, my friend!
I needed the power rushing through these words! Excellent use of the active verb tense!
Amen! Thank you for the words of encouragement. Move Holy Spirit!
I just got the best visual of God blowing out your dust bunnies! Thanks for putting a smile on my face!
You’re welcome! May the Spirit of God blow through your heart and mind today with a fresh wind of anointing! Thank you for visiting!
Beautifully written and expressed, poured from soul and spirit.
Praying along with, as reading.
So many ways this speaks to me. “Routing any debris left behind by squandered living” jumped out with alarming relevance.
God bless you.
Rob, thank you for taking the time to read and pray with me. Glory to God for all he has done and all he has given us. May we use what little we have to love him, seek him and honor him more! God bless you, brother! Holy Spirit, flood my brother and use him, I pray, for your glory and your kingdom work!
Thank you Melissa 😊âœï¸ðŸ™