Rising from the Ashes

As I sat in traffic on my work today I observed a throng of people walking past, to work I imagine, some were walking in long strides, carefree and chit-chatting, others walking shoulders hunched as if they were headed to a  slaughterhouse. I then wondered about my set of circumstances, whether I was with the carefree or the downtrodden. I couldn’t place a finger on it, instead my thoughts wandered away from the strangers to (as strange as it may sound) Greek Mythology. I thought of how a friend from my youth, a profound gentleman with the biggest of hearts, often spoke about the Phoenix rising from the ashes; at the time I could never understand how relevant this was in our lives, but now I’m a convert!

I have discovered that nothing in life is constant and that we have to somehow constantly try and make it work. Unlike the Phoenix our rising from the ashes is a continuous engagement. We shouldn't lose that! We just have to learn to manoevre the waters. I’m tempted to say the waters can be defeated but I know that would be untrue because that is not life. The Life as we know it is a constant challenge. There will be times when we are broken and times when we experience the ups. So if you are up today be content with your all because your tomorrow might be tested. And if your spirit is broken today be certain you will also be gratified.

I have been broken and I have been content, broken again and content, and broken again then content, with that I want to say this poem for every broken and hunched shouldered soul.

A Broken Spirit

A Broken Spirit,

What an amazing formation!

Ever wondered what becomes of a Broken Spirit?

It wallows in misery, gets tangled in anguish while engrossed in ancient wounds.

The frame of mind becomes suspicious, presumptuous and evil.

And the Man becomes a Victim and blames everyone about him.

The world ceases being beautiful

Everyday becomes dark and sad.

The Man sees the bad and ignores the good.

The Man antagonizes kind actions of others.

The Man becomes glad when others notice his misery

His shoulders become slumped by the day

He rekindles old wound and sinks further in his misery

And the bitterness becomes his realm.

Then again, They say the Lord delights in the person with a Broken Spirit.

When we experience brokenness blessings follow, a Broken Spirit produces genuine sorrow.

Out of a Broken Spirit there is humility and pursuit of Salvation

Out of a Broken Spirit there is willingness to change, compassion and gratitude.

Remember, the Spirit is a marvel formation of the Lord

And He delights in the Broken Spirit.

Celiwe Ngwenya