A Sliver of Christ

If I could be a sliver of Christ
A slim, barely noticeable sliver
If I could convey a sliver of his love
However small it may appear
If I could imitate a sliver of his charity
A sliver of Christ I would be

If I could offer a sliver of his friendship
Narrow as it might seem
If I could exhibit a sliver of his compassion
Though barely visible to the naked eye
If I could model a sliver of his kindness
A sliver of Christ I would be 

If I could emulate a sliver of his obedience
No matter how slight it may seem
If I could show a sliver of his mercy
No matter how limited that may be
If I could reveal a sliver of his glory
A sliver of Christ I would be

If I could exemplify a sliver of his humility
No matter how minute such may be
If I could express a sliver of his humanity
For all of humanity to see
If I could reflect a sliver of his divinity
A sliver of Christ I would be

If I could but a sliver be
A sliver of Christ I would be

As Christians around the world quickly approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I humbly offer this poem. I have a little book titled The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. I have had it since high school, more than forty years. I hope that during all that time I have reflected a sliver of Christ to others. The world has been going though a dark winter. May we as Christians shine a sliver of Christ’s light and may all those slivers of light show the way out of the darkness: “I am the light of the world. He who follows me does not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).