by Kelly Pelton (written 27 Feb 2023)

Insecurity, the fear that I am less -
the fear my fear must indicate reality -
cannot be helped by others; we must confess to God
and ask, "What do I need from You, but more, from me?"

With insecurity, I hold back from myself
what I need most from me: respect and loyalty,
a high esteem of my own value, deeply rooted
in the God who sent the Christ to set me free.

The church's gender hierarchy is not the answer,
men, to all your fears of feeling like you're less;
you'll come to peace within as God enables you
to know your value with no urge to second-guess.