Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves

Jesus said, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew  10:8-16

Wise as Serpents 

It is that season when the earth turns
Away from the light and into shadow
When cold blows through cracked windows
And danger seeps in arounder everyndoor.

The season is of a thinness between
The barely living and the barely dead
Leaves piles up like broken dreams
We are forced to close our eyes too early.

It is the season of reckoning and decision
Where we can choose life or selfishness
Humility and honor or deep treachery
Stocking up for the winter or hopenness depair.

The world consumes and forgets
Yet there is still more life to come
We areally pregnant with hope
Wisdom and love will return in season.