Listen. Love. : Galatians series - Tim Knipp (Gal. 5:13-18)

Listen.
Listen.
Past the chatter of self
and me, me, me;
still the flesh-based 
demands.
Listen
to the Spirit -
the string attached
to the kite
of Jesus.
Feel the tug.
Let it pull you forward.

Close down the natterings
and panic posts,
the accusations
and irritants;
not by anesthetizing
but by bathing
in the Spirit.

If you listen,
you'll hear whispers
of love amid 
the bird song.

The antidote to self-absorption
and paranoia
is not grasping and
hording but
giving,
openhanded.

Lay aside the smothering
blankets of fear
and the noxious fumes
of greed.
Rise up 
to serve
in love.

The One who loves
each one of us,
who suffered
and suffers
with and for us 
can teach us how
if we
listen.
If we love.