For My Redeemer

Walking Into My Promised Land

Weary.

Defeated.

I stand here alone.

Like raindrops engulf the Earth in a storm,

I'm engulfed in my pain.

As the storm blows all around me

I look up and see

A city before me that looks promising.

While the skyscrapers brush the Heavens,

The promise of life lingers throughout the streets.

Though the storm rages around me,

Not a drop of rain touches me.

For my raincoat of scarlet protects me.

So, now I'll take a step closer,

And another,

And another,

Inching closer and closer to this promising city.

I can smell the joy

And it's easy to see

That Jesus has found me,

And now I am free.

Oh, the Lord has redeemed me.

Hallelujah, I am free!

      The inspiration behind this poem lies in the picture above, painted for me by my grandfather. My grandfather gifted this picture to me while I was in active addiction and said that the girl in it made him think of me. I didn't realize this until after beating my addiction with alcohol, but he was right. While the girl may have been standing in a nasty storm, her scarlet raincoat (or the blood of Jesus) that covered her, had protected her the entire time she walked through it... right up to the day that she walked into her promised city of abundance, joy and freedom. She had been redeemed. This picture means so much to me because my grandfather also overcame his addiction to alcohol many years ago, and like me, turned his life over to Christ. He is my greatest role model.

      My prayer is that with this poem, the meaning behind the picture as well may lead someone else right up to their promised land. I want Ya'll to remember that if we believe and confess that Jesus is our Lord, we will be covered with the blood of the lamb, allowing destruction and death to pass over us.