Less than Nothing – A Poem
On my way home from work last night I was listening to Sanctus Real in my car. The song Change Me came on. I love this song.
One of the lines in the song gave me an idea for a poem. The line is “‘Cause I know I’m nothing without You.” As I worked on the poem in my head, while trying to simultaneously see through the rainy darkness ahead of me, I realized that this line of the song is not completely accurate. I realized that without Christ I am not “nothing,” I am less than nothing.
Less than Nothing
Nothing is what
I thought I was
without You
But now I realize
it is much worse
than I imagined
Without You
I am something
that is less than nothing
Arrogant, prideful
Selfish and self-centered
Hateful, angry, and bitter
Jealous and envious
Lazy, slothful, and out of control
Unkind, thoughtless, and mean
I’d rather be nothing
than be what I am
without You
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:19-23 (NIV).
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Self-will certainly brings us down.
What a perfect reminder to confess my top ten character defects when I say my bedtime prayers tonight. It’s strangly comforting to know that other people say and feel such awful things, too.. Thanks for posting this.
I am new to your blog (got here through caddoveil) but thought I would chime in. Being nothing is something. God made the whole universe out of nothing at all, the seas and all they contain. Imagine what He might intend to make out of you.
Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation. I do know that whatever God is making me into is more awesome than I can imagine, and that gives me great joy. Peace, Linda
I hope you don’t mind…I’m reposting your poem in my blog this morning. Of course, if you object, I will remove it immediately. 🙂
Jeff, No problem as long as you give me attribution. 🙂 Peace, Linda
I did. Thanks!
But I am all things in Him who strengthens me! Thank you for the reminder.
Thanks for adding that thought! I pondered adding another stanza to that effect, but decided it would diminish the point of the poem. Peace, Linda
Wow, Linda . . .this was a powerful one! I never thought of that, but YES . . .nothing would be better than what I am without Him. Makes me cringe and cry in thankfulness to Him. God bless you, beautiful one of His, writer of His heart. He uses you to touch our hearts for Him!
Deb, I never really thought of this before either. It was just so cool when the Holy Spirit gave me this idea. 🙂 Peace, Linda
Thanks, Linda
Beautiful piece.
“I’d rather be nothing
than be what I am
without You”
This part caught in my throat a bit. When I consider where I am and what my options had been, I know I could have been ‘better off’ financially if I had made other choices.
What’s the point of having financial gains if I don’t have relationship with Him? Better off? How so?
What shall it profit a (wo)man if I have all that I want and more, yet my soul is lost? Nada.
Yup. ” I’d rather be nothing, than be what I am without (Him)”.
God bless you, Linda. A great reminder of the benefits of allowing Him to be my identity.
Blessings,
ann
Ann, I agree that the choices we’ve made may not have resulted in gain that the world values, but to have Christ is better than all earthly treasures! Hope 2012 is starting out good for you. Peace, Linda
Very good. It’s true. We give ourselves too much credit to say we’re “nothing” without Christ.
Jeff, We give ourselves too much credit for a lot of things that we have or are only by the grace of God. Fortunately for us, our God is merciful. Peace, Linda
We share a love of the Christian Music – beautiful poem
God Bless
susie
Susie, I don’t know where I’d be without my Christian music to listen to and to draw me closer to my dear Jesus. I’m sure He’d provide some other way to draw me closer if I didn’t have it, but am thankful for it nonetheless. 🙂 It is wonderful to connect with another Christian who shares my joy in listening to music that glorifies God. Peace, Linda
beautiful…I really liked it