"WHEN I SAY, 'I'M A CHRISTIAN'"

In honor of women's month, I find it fitting to share a poem written by Ms. Carol Wimmer. Ms. Wimmer said that her heart was heavy as she wrote the poem, When I say, “I am a Christian. ” The year was 1988, she said, and she had begun to sense an increasing societal resentment toward the attitude of self-righteousness that has been adopted by so many Christians. Ms .Wimmer stated that she knew such behavior was and is a perversion of Christianity. She indicated that the sentiment of the poem was born out of her personal awareness of this perversion and the heartache it can cause in our pluralistic society.


WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting, "I’ve been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!
That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble—
Needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed
And cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are all too visible
But God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache,
Which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority...
I only know I'm loved

Used by Permission
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer