Not In Your Name

I learned your name in candle smoke

In quiet rooms, in trembling hands

They said you loved obedience

But you felt closer when I couldn’t stand

I watched them build their golden rules

Out of fear and borrowed shame

They spoke for God so confidently

But never listened when you came

I don’t hear you in the threats

I don’t see you in the chains

If love is real, it doesn’t need

A throne, a fist, a holy blade

So don’t speak for love

Don’t speak for grace

Don’t put your violence

On Jesus’ face

If God is light, then love is free

And what you’re doing

Is not in His name

It’s not in Your name

They taught me heaven has a fence

And some of us don’t get inside

But every time I read the words

You’re standing with the ones they hide

They use your cross like leverage

To keep us small, to keep us still

But mercy never sounded like

A threat disguised as God’s will

If faith means silence in the dark

And truth means never asking why

Then maybe what they call belief

Is just control baptized

So don’t speak for love

Don’t speak for grace

Don’t put your violence

On Jesus’ face

If God is real, then God won’t be

Afraid of doubt

Or honesty

And what you’re building

Isn’t holy

It’s not in Your name

I still believe

But not like that

Not in your walls

Not in your threats

If there is God

God breathes in me

Not in your power

But in the least

If you’re love

Then I don’t need permission

If you’re truth

You won’t fear my questions

I’ll follow you

Out of the fire

Not into fear

Not into empire