The Christ of Burnt Men

(written soon after a particularly difficult breakup with a woman I had been dating)

My spirit has been scorched by the flame of love.
Yesterday I cried out with hope, “Oh, embrace me sweet affection!
Let us move forward together
As one.”

The reply came swiftly:
Rejection
Scorn
Betrayal

And so today I kneel dejected before You Lord
I have felt the kiss of the crucified Christ
Full of the love that binds our hearts together
Yet broken by a world of sin and sorrow.
My grief is great!

What do You want from me Lord?
Can I not obey Your call with another by my side?
To share the burden of life’s walk
To love eternally.

There is insight here too, Lord
This morning I saw Your cross as if for the first time
I felt Your wounds, as they are mine
I felt the sword pierce Your flesh, as it has pierced my own
You are the Christ of burnt men
A Christ for me, especially me - charred, broken, wrecked.

Tread softly with my sorrow Lord
Be kind with my wounded spirit
I will go on to listen to Your solitary song
And I will pine for my love.