Bidden to Share: a poem by Douglas J. Lanzo

image by Couleur, on Pixabay, modified

Sharing Bread of Life and Living Water

“God will judge us not according to how much we endured, but how much we could love.”

Richard Wurmbrand, in 'Tortured for Christ'

He did breathe upon us life

that we might journey on this lowly earth

beneath the vastness of His heavens…

on treks of faith-inspired service,

sharing His healing compassion

and loving forgiveness

in every work bestowed

by hands, minds, and hearts,

humbled before Him.

The currents of His breath,

full of love, joy, and hopefulness,

rise on sweet zephyrs

that we are bidden to share

so that they might refresh and restore

the souls of our dearest friends

and those of our cruelest enemies,

so that all might turn to Christ,

healed of enmity by Him.

May we share with all

His living water and bread of life,

for everyone does thirst

and hunger for it―

though many do not comprehend

Christ’s body and His blood

would, once received, sustain their souls

with eternal life.

May those who question

whether all are worthy

to receive Christ’s love

and forgiveness

consider Jesus’ forgiveness

of those who nailed Him to the cross

as He struggled with last breaths,

mighty enough in portent to save

the thief by Jesus’ side and, perhaps,

even the Roman centurion

who testified to Jesus’ divinity

upon His death,

for Jesus taught it is by faith alone

that we are justified to Him.

Douglas J. Lanzo is an award-winning Christian author and poet whose debut novel, ‘The Year

of the Bear,’ won the 2023 Ames Awards for

Young Adult Books and whose second book, 

‘I Have Lived,’ was named American Book Fest 2024 Novella of the year. 480 of Doug’s poems

have been published in 75 literary journals and eight anthologies in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, England, Wales, Austria, Mauritius, India, Japan,

and Australia. He and his wife, twin sons, cat, pufferfish, and hermit crabs reside in Chevy

Chase, Maryland, and all but the pets enjoy

nature, snorkeling, and basketball. His author website is at www.douglaslanzo.com.

June 2025 issue