What Am I?

Some see me

as a wild beast

creeping in the

wilderness waiting

to devour them.

They paint me

with sharp claws,

dark eyes and

nothing but

selfish desire.

Others see me

as if I am a tamed

beast, powerful

but with a gentle

spirit, no intent

for killing, unless

a craving over

powers me.

Many fear my stripes

and assume they

are my prey,

what am I?

I was not born with these stripes.

They were given to me as I

became of age.

I knew it had to be done,

I did not want to receive

such a torturous award,

but I was willing.

I am not like any other,

These stripes not

only marked me,

but history as well,

what am I?

Do not fear because

my stripes are

set apart. In my stripes

are many colors.

Love, mercy,

gentleness and kindness

and so much more.

Yet, most crucial of all,

in my stripes,

redemption

is found. “He was pierced for our

transgressions; crushed for

our iniquities; the punishment

that brought us peace was

upon Him, by His wounds we are

healed“(Isaiah 53:5).