The work you started.

I find myself trying reconcile my own sin.  I focus in on myself and that sin and I work really, really hard on bettering myself.  If somehow I could sin one less time I could sleep better or I would then be worthy.  I write lines and lines of words to make sense of my sin and God with very few words paid the debt of my sin. I try to use my broken arms and legs to keep the countless promises I have made to you.  All of those promises broken.  Yet you pull away my self made casts and remind me of your steadfast love.  I try to sing at the top of my lungs, until my voice surrenders and all I am making is a pitiful noise.  You then, in the stillness, take your mercy and you sing this weary soul to sleep.  When I try to build my empire out of gold and silver.  You take those ashes and ruins and you build a city on hill.  A bright and shining light for your glory.  I flood myself until I drown, flailing around naked and lost.  And you pulled me to the shore and clothed me in your righteousness.  Oh, I would spend the rest of my life working out of my own strength to make myself worthy.  I would grow tired and weak and bitter.  But the work has already been done and it was done perfectly.  When I try to rest in these holes I have dug for myself you pull me out of my filth with your loving kindness.  I can rest in your perfect love, perfect forgiveness, perfect grace.  My recovery from sin cannot spring from anything inside of me but from the perfect hope that is Jesus Christ.