the bucket and The Fountain

I admit I am not a poet. Most of my poetry can be sung to a Barney melody. But still, I thought I would attempt to articulate something God is revealing to me through verse. I was inspired by a teaching called The Supremacy of God in Prayer * by...yes...John Piper (I know I'm a bit obsessed). Well, here it goes:

A foolish lady labored gravely

struggling up a mountain,

With a bucket full of dirty water

to pour into a Fountain.

This Fountain gushed with grace

and mercy for the ones below;

She thought her bucket of effort

could contribute to its flow.

Exhausted by the staggering weight

of "do better and try harder,"

She thought she heard the Fountain say,

"Listen to me, my daughter.

If you truly want to honor Me

and show the world My glory,

Then empty your bucket of everything

whenever you come before Me.

Don't come with two ounces of goodness,

Don't come with a cupful of deeds,

Don't come with a gallon of effort

To pay off your balance of needs.

Instead take the empty bucket,

And stand in the Fountain of grace.

I will cleanse you; I will fill you

And I will receive honor, glory, and praise."

She dumped upon the dirt worn path

The murky works and deeds.

She jumped into the fountain;

She was washed, and filled, and free!

A much more poignant way of saying this is:

Nothing in my hands I bring

Simply to Thy cross I cling

Naked come to Thee for dress

Helpless look to Thee for grace

To Thy fountain, Lord I fly

Wash me Savior, or I die.

*in case you don't know, if you click on the blue words, it will send you to that link (John Piper' teaching in this case).