On the Mount

by Jessie Flowers

ON THE MOUNT

Leathered by fire,

wearied by wind,

barely breathing,

I climbed

Sinai.

Until upon reaching

a bald clearing,

my weather-worn

knees knelt 

and felt.

Zion,

mount of heavenly starshine,

securely rooted 

a royal bloodline,

firm beneath my fibulas 

fully alive with news.

And I realized,

though I never

knew your name,

you always knew mine.

For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. – Hebrews 12:18-24

JESSIE FLOWERS

Jessie Flowers is a purveyor of life and language. She delights in the mundane miracles of each season, spying out the beauty that steadfastly surrounds us. Having previously served as a worship arts pastor for over a decade, she carries a deep love for people, creativity, and the Body of Christ. She currently resides in South Carolina with her husband and children.

You can follow more of her work at substack.com/@jessieflowers, as well as her forthcoming work in Vessels of Light.