FORGIVEN

I cling to You. I'm standing, but I feel like I'm not. Only You hold me up as I cling tightly to Your robe.
I'm slumped over, my head resting, pressed against Your chest. My hands clinging to Your arms & sleeves.
Tears flow down my face, & I can't feel anything but peace. I know You'll never leave me, but yet I cling so tightly
as if, if I let go You'll get away. I don't ever want to leave this place of security. In the Glory of Your Light, I feel like I'm not good enough. Who am I that You would love me so much? I feel like a wretch, diseased & filthy.
I'm  afraid to look at myself...if I look anything like the reflection I see in my mind. I'm expecting to be leprous, filthy & hideous; skin hanging off of me, open wounds all over me; marred beyond all reason.
I finally look down at myself & for a second forget how to breath.
I am made perfect, spotless, clean, glowing & beautiful. I look more healthy & alive than I ever thought any human could be.
Then I look back at You & gasp in horror. Skin hanging off of Your back, open wounds all over You; marred beyond all reason.
How can I be made perfectly whole.......& You be put through this? I just answered my own question;
It's only because You went through this, that I can be made to stand before You, spotless, blameless & guiltless.
I close my eyes for a half second, because I just can't comprehend what I see You going through.
As I open my eyes I see You, restored to Your Full Glory; With Power unspeakable, & fire in Your eyes, Your hair glowing white; All power in Heaven & Earth in the palm of Your hand. And Your hands are still marked with nail scars, to remind me that You took my place.
The God of the universe, didn't act 'holier than thou'  I called for You & You came down to my level, held this filthy wretch in Your arms & washed me clean with Your  own Blood.

Now as I cling to You, thinking this over;
I hear the serpent's hiss behind me, I start to turn my head to defend myself &
You stop me. You show me Your hands to remind me.
I smile & sink evermore into the folds of Your robe, into Your chest, into Your arms.
I can't see anything but Your blinding Light. I can't feel anything but peace.
I hear Your voice like thunder, shake the Earth as You say: "she is Mine! I paid her price! your claim on her soul is denied!"