[The inward battle...]

[This inward battle…]

This inward battle goes on and on

It’s like being on stand by for a flight

There’s no guarantee you’ll be on the next plane out

But the HOPE, the HOPE is always there

This inward battle serves a purpose

It’s out of love I try to stand

I don’t want to be easily blown like a grain of sand

If my heart ain’t searchin’ for something deeper what should it do?

This inward battle is faithful

Motivated by the unseen it hopes,

It pushes and fights for something new

Asking, “What more is there for me and you?”

I’ve concluded…

Its easier to hold on to the lil’ bit I’ve got

Than it is to let go and trust the unknown for something more

Even when all I’ve got is shit

I’m already poor

I ain’t got much to lose

But it’s all I got

So if it’s all I got then its everything

If everything and I lose I’ve got nothin’

So I ask the question…

Why does my everything seem like excrement?

I could have had something had you relinquished it.

Had you laid down just and ounce of your privilege,

I’d at least be at the starting line.

No, but instead you prefer I stay in wanting.

It’s easier for you if my people pine and parish for narcotics.

It’s easier if they seemingly die at the hands of their own.

And all so you can wash your hands of us.

But just like Pilot your guilty.

That water you just dipped into,

Well it’s tainted with disease,

So now like me your filthy.

There ain’t no freein’ yourself of sin,

The only freedom you’ll find from them chains is the same as me and them.

The only way we’ll see eye to eye

With the playin field level is on bended knee

Believin’ in the death and resurrection of Christ

Will set us free from our earthly frivolity,

And our reconciliation will come when we can say to each other,

“The Christ in you is greater than the Christ in me.”

I ain’t tryin’ to be harsh

Just straight with it.

The truth of the matter is we are separated, segregated, stratified

Hierarchically by gender, race and socio-economic status.

Categorized and stigmatized for the sake our own well-being,

But what about our personal responsibility to each other?

We were created to live in community.

It ain’t about holding hands and singing “cum by yah”.

Instead it’s about faith, hope, love, and livin’ it,

Together as one in unity.

You know “U.N.I.T.Y” (*sing it)

So, how are we supposed to do what we ain’t seen?

Especially when we are still claimin’ the wars of our fathers

And the bastard children of our mothers.

How are we supposed to move forward?

Why are we claimin’ post-racial America?

Cause we got a black president?

FYI, he’s mixed.

And brown kids still getting kicked out of swim clubs in Philly

You willing to accept the casualty and ignore a hot childs thirsty plea?

Well…

I suppose we can start by going down to the river to pray.

Teachin’ true history about our past days.

Bring to light what is hidden in darkness.

Cryin’, mornin’ and lamentin’ for justice.

Afterwards we can bathe in the healing waters of Christ

Recognizing our sin and brokenness

Confessin’ we’ve denied Him far more than thrice

Let us be honest and then acknowledge our humanity

Together remember our personal and communal responsibility

Laying down privilege and all superficiality

For the sake of a unifying vulnerability

But that is only the beginning cause Christ’ll take the rest

All we do is live in this inward outward battle

Giving each other our humble best

So we stay in this struggle as it goes on and on

Living purposefully and faithfully

By faith, with hope and in love

And when the time right our plane will come

Reconciled we’ll stand in the light of love