Character References by Mark D. Stucky

If I applied for new employment,
should I write down for my references
my malicious manager who mistreats workers,
my onetime teammate serving prison time,
my drug-dealing cousin crashing in a crack house,
or long-lost relatives living in unknown locations?
If I used such rogue references,
could I honestly expect acceptance?

Yet, Jesus applied for the job
of Redeemer of humanity
and, for references, he is using us,
rogue saints and reformed sinners,
who all too often fail our calling
to love all other people
and pursue righteousness.

With character references
as checkered as Christians are,
can Jesus expect acceptance
by the rest of the world?

Mark D. Stucky has degrees in religious studies, pastoral ministry, and communications. He has been a technical and freelance writer for three decades. During his day job, he has documented diverse products, from satellite communications to building automation systems. In free time, he has written articles, stories, and poems on a variety of (usually spiritual) topics. He has received over three dozen writing and publication awards. For more writings, see cinemaspirit.info.