Walls

Brick by brick,

a little hearsay,

a bit of juicy scandal,

some casual chitchat

constructing a wall.

Reinforced by steel bars of twisted truth,

with concrete of gossip

being poured carefully

into the midst of the wall;

there it hardens,

solidifying the wall,

dividing, setting apart,

isolating.

Brick by brick,

a little argument,

a bit of misunderstanding,

some unresolved conflict

constructing a wall.

Reinforced 
by steel bars of resentment,

with concrete of bitterness

being poured carefully

into the midst of the wall;

there it hardens,

solidifying the wall,

dividing, setting apart,

isolating.

Brick by brick,

a little insult received,

a bit of withdrawing,

some avoidance of relational opportunities

constructing a wall.

Reinforced by steel bars of feelings of incompetence,

with concrete of self-absorption

being poured carefully

into the midst of the wall;

there it hardens,

solidifying the wall,

dividing, setting apart,

isolating.

“Now Jericho was tightly shut 

because of the sons of Israel;

no one went out and no one came in. 

The Lord said to Joshua,

‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand,

with its king and the valiant warriors.” 

~Joshua 6:1,2

The walls of Jericho came down.

Deliberate preparation,

in accordance with specific instruction

from the Lord;

redirected Focus,

established Purpose,

recognized Authority.

They followed in cadence

behind the Ark of God’s Presence,

as ridiculous as it may have seemed

to the society at large,

remaining devoted

to His command.

Each step of obedience,

each blast of the ram’s horn,

each shout of victory

rendered utter destruction.

The walls came down

…and the battle began.

~ae