As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurped town, to another due,
Labor to admit you, but O, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betrothed unto your enemy.
Divorce me, untie or break that knot again;
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
-John Donne, 1633
This is one of my favorite of Donne’s Holy Sonnets. I love the marriage imagery that Donne uses to describe his relationship with God. We are the bride of Christ, but too often we are unfaithful and find ourselves pledged to another. Donne notes that only intimacy with God makes us pure.
This sonnet reminds me of a verse that God placed on my heart last year. God answers Donne’s prayer in Ezekiel 36:26; He says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I need to be constantly reminded that I am incapable of changing myself; I am dependent on God to change me and give me a new heart. I need God to overthrow and conquer me because otherwise I become captive to myself and to sin. I am always so amazed and grateful when I find that a part of my heart that used to be as hard as stone has been made soft and fleshy by God. I am immensely thankful that my God is committed to daily working and reworking His transformation in my life.
6 Comments
Leave a Reply
If you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
Thank you for this message. We are studying Dallas Willard’s “Renovation of the Heart” in house church and this touches on the same theme–spiritual transformation.
Mary Beth- Thank you so much for your message. I had forgotten this passsage from Ezekiel. I enjoy reading your posts, and hearing what is in your heart. We are blessed to have you in our family.
Mary Beth,
Thanks for sharing your inner thoughts. Keeping our minds open and our hearts soft to the will of God is a beautiful concept and a constant challenge. I also like the symbolism of looking into the mirror of God’s Word and transforming ourselves into the image of Christ which we see there. James 1:25; 2 Cor. 3:16-18. Give Caleb a hug for us. Papa
Amen, Sista! I REALLY needed to read this today! Thanks so much for sharing what God put on your heart.
Honey,
I love you so much! It’s a joy to watch God’s love transforming your heart and spirit. You have grown so much in the last year as God has given more and more responsibilty into your hands. It’s a precious gift to read postings straight from your heart.
You are a blessing and encouragement to me. Caleb is a blessed little boy to have you and Casey for parents.
Love,
Mom
Thank you for sharing this! What a beautiful sonnet and so very applicable to everyone’s life!!