June 7th

“’Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’” Luke 11:23

there is one field sown
with the wildflowers of grace
while next to it is one
teeming with the weeds of expediency.
and while we sit on the fence
that extends between the two,
not sure where we should walk,
we might remember that Jesus
isn’t inviting us to be neutral parties.
no, we are called to gather
the forgotten, the fearful,
and even those we cannot stand.
we are invited to mend nets
ripped apart by polarization,
to bandage the wounds of the wicked
as well as cradling those closest to our hearts.
and so, will we choose to hold
his hand and race toward
the splintering of the world
or just keep teetering,
as the pieces drift apart.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman