Poets Janette Ikz and Ezekiel Azonwu teamed up to perform a powerful poem called “Ready Or Not” which centers around a bride and a groom pondering their commitment and relationship to God, as well as to each other.
Janette: I’m trying to remember why I was created or at least, that’s what I’d like you to think. Because amnesia sounds a lot better than just plain ignorance. Well...even ignorance is defined as a lack of knowledge, see I’m just faking it. Pretending as if I don’t know, when really I do. I felt less than what my designer thought was best. So I sup “pressed” who he super “natural”-ly intended me to be. No lie I; got relaxed, then I combined, by “weaving” in a little bit of His will with a whole lot of mine.
So how do I look? ‘Cause I think I look good!
And yes, I know its not His original design.
I have time to change; Fix any minor things I may lack. It’s not like He's coming back... tomorrow.
Seriously, how long have we heard, these are “the last days”? It’s the same old song. I mean, is it just me, or do these last days seem to be lasting kinda long?
I know I’m not perfect. I’ve had so many I couldn’t count my falls—Niagara. Rather than responding to His call, I’d rather schedule Him—Viagra.
Whatever is wrong He can heal; but I want the cattle on a thousand hills with the ability to take the wheel—grasp will like Jacob to Esau’s heel. His love is based on how I feel—He loves me… He loves me not—like pullin’ petals off flowers.
Yes, He’s coming back but no man knows the day or the hour…?
Together: Where have you been. I've been at the altar, waiting For you...
Ezekiel: To repent... What happened you've...
Janette: Lost weight? Yes. I wanted to look good for you so I haven't been eating my daily...
Ezekiel: “Bread of heaven” is who I am; but its scary. I give you loaves of my Word but you get by with the crumbs of commentaries. You needed...
Janette: I needed a make over.… No one was attracted to me, so I dressed up the gospel; stayed silent seeing sin saturate sanctuaries—shadowing sight, smoky eyes—because… You know… You are love,
Ezekiel: No, I am your "cover...girl." I "make up" for your lacks and deficiencies, I'm your very “foundation.” See, I blend with you perfectly—no need for concealer—for I’m the revealer of all. Don't you recall when I tore your veil?
Janette: So, you’re saying you don’t like my lashes and you don’t like my nails then?
Ezekiel: You don't understand. You don’t understand. I took lashes for your lashes, and nails for your nails; but If I'm not gaining your heart, then I'm just losing time... ‘cause more than I want you to be outwardly beautiful, I need you to be mine,
Janette: Okay. But we're here now so let's just go on with this ceremony…
Ezekiel: Knowing… there will be no one in attendance? You never extended invitations. Too excited about the reception, and the gifts that you would get that you forgot my (presence).
Janette: (Presents). And dollar dances… quarters… nickels and
Ezekiel: The world could keep their dimes. Pieces of silver don't impress me... don't forget what happened to Judas...
Janette: You just failed to see that I've changed. I admit I grew distant. I lost sight of You—the absolute value, missing the sin. So now with ignorance, at times, I “cosine” unable to stay away from “tangents.” I thought I had the “right” angle.
Ezekiel: Look, I know your heart has been broken, but if you can Keep your eyes “fixed” on me I can re-pair us. And we will be one no longer be Fractions—being dominated by denominations.
Janette: Yet, I choose to stay divided like Palestinian nations.
Ezekiel: Yes, your fouls have been flagrant… your fouls have been flagrant; but I am positive I'm the one for you! But we equal nothing if you continue to be the negative one in this equation.
Together: Can you sense... my frustration?
Janette: You are Holy. So I impose what’s legalistic: making appeals for what you already acquitted, obsessed with overruling your objections purposely plucking purpose
Ezekiel: Professing prosperity, practicing pride, prosecuting people persistently; and, when you became the judge, you took away the saint’s defense and see, you've silenced the miraculous testimonies of my witness. So no one’s ever convicted, yet so many of children are turned away from life because you condemn them with your death penalty sentence.
Janette: Not all of them. Which reminds me.. about their entrance: In the Lamb’s Book of Life some names you may have skipped. With attendance, I stamp their wrists so that they can get in—the VIP section: we don't address their sin; neither do we offend. Bouncers don't trip on those who abundantly give—all of their praying grandmothers had a plus one on the list.
Ezekiel: Well, tell them, they wont see me, by visiting you routinely. Be the example that you need relationship with Me. You are more than stained glassed windows, pulpits, pew and singers, ‘cause If you want to see My church, just Look in the mirror.
Janette: But you wanted me to be fine, perfect, righteous, and eloquent. But this land seemed desolate and needed development. I exceeded your budget so I withdrew from Tyra’s “bank” and continued to remodel staying culturally relevant. My girl, Katrina, called said hurricanes and hard times came and You didn’t make Yourself evident.
Ezekiel: But I told you I would never leave thee nor forsake thee.
Janette: I hear you but I had immediate needs.
Ezekiel: But [you] promised that you would… wait for me.
Janette: Wait for you?
Ezekiel: By the way what happened to your ring?
Janette: My ring?
Ezekiel: You don't remember the ring when I called you out of darkness into marvelous things. You wear it IN you not ON you. It was My Spirit, my sign to, and remind you AND your ex who you really belong to.
Janette: My ring? I pawned for money to get back to who I thought was my first love. He spoke to me with words so sweet. He “waves” and I feel the “shore”ness of my wrong decision shifting my view. He wanted me to “sea” breeze, so I could forget where the “Son” sets next.
I was convinced I didn’t need to repent of my sin. He told me he could wash me with the “Tide” that was coming in. The weather was pleasant on the Atlantic surface, but as I got to his core the temperature drastically changed. Yes, I contacted an STD, he “burned” me at 9,800 degrees. He was my earth, he was my world. I'm sorry to tell you, but there's more….
Ezekiel: Did you think I wouldn't notice... the symptoms and the signs, and your unexplainable cravings for sin of all kinds? Even had trouble sleeping.
Janette: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy didn’t come in the morning sickness. So, in my shame and my mourning you witnessed me take the pill for the morning after coincidently located right next to my box of alabaster. I was to shameful to bring forth Al a bast…
Ezekiel: Stirred lies of wicked men's tongues started deceivin’ you, then automatically planted the seeds of deceit in you. And when you were pregnant with falsehood, it became impossible to “conceive” the truth.
Janette: (The truth) made me free, but I ran back to what was comfortable—being enslaved, a mind depraved. I'm sure you don’t want me now. I’m not worth the price you paid....
Ezekiel: They flogged me with whips,that left my flesh stripped, I was beat with their instruments, rhythmically, which caused my skin… I bleed symphonies. I can still remember the hooks—like a chorus—and those weren't just 66 letters, they were musical scores, which contained the every note to keep us on one accord—for you to always have the right keys to my hearts doors.
Janette: I just wanted a sample-repeat sin like loopin’ eight bars, on my own tempo, I embarked, instead of following Your instrumentation, I drown out your heartbeat of tympani, and strings of harmonies, ignore the woodwinds of Your spirit. If Your trumpet sounds, I wont hear it or even the brass ring, ‘cause I’ve laid tracks and tracks of acapella. But, so I can hear myself sing, majoring in minor, has left me scratched like broken records, causing my life to, causing my life to, causing my life to—stutter. I’m a false instructor, pretending as if I’m watching the conductor. I'm too unlawful to be your wife and probably never recover....
Ezekiel: My WILL was put to the test when I had to choose to escape glory to escape in glory, or bear torment upon my flesh, YOU were the reason I embraced that rugged cross, like my child, who was long lost. MARRY, my own mother couldn’t even recognize [the] disfigured the face of her son. ME, is what I gave you on Calvary, when it was done.
I told you I loved you. How much? Well, I showed you. You called it crucifixion; I call it “proposal.”
WILL YOU MARRY Me...?
You don't need a third party. You have direct access to Me, and we won't ever have to worry about remembering our anniversary, because I've yet to find a calendar with a date for eternity.
Janette: I need your…
Ezekiel: GRACE and MERCY is what I lavish upon….. There's a recession of My presence. I see the demand, so I supply the missing peace that your heart demands. And then….
Janette: …some cry over spilled milk. I weep over spilled...
Ezekiel: Blood that could not be measured in pints to count…
Together: …My love…
Janette: …was contingent on what was instant.
Together: I know I had to come…
Janette: …to repentance.
Ezekiel: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
Janette: Father forgive me for I know not what I’ve done.
Janette: I’ll get myself together. I’ll clean myself up.
Ezekiel: Please, allow me, I’m the only one who can make you clean.
Together: Without spot, wrinkle… without blemish.
Ezekiel: Your bridesmaids, goodness and mercy, will follow you. It is already finished. It was you who I chose even though I called many. I am coming back for you.
Together: Will you be ready OR NOT???
0 Comments
Before you comment remember...
1. Don't be rude!
2. Stay on topic of the post. If you don't stay on topic, either state "off-topic" or your comment will be deleted.
3. If you want to ask an off-topic question and don't see the proper post for it, please e-mail me about it.
4. Don't spam or promote your blog or service. Please e-mail me if you'd like an add to my blog list or need for me to update your blog's URL. If your blog is similar in subject to mine, you will be added to the list.