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At the core of Gwost’s compilation, which consists mostly of poetry and prose, is a desire to help others experience the depth of God’s love that she has spent a lifetime experiencing herself. Using a combination of poetic devices, inner reflections, and scripture, the narrative is imbued with Christ’s love and the sacrifice for mankind that stems from that love.
The energy of Gwost’s worship and devotion is exemplified by the vigor of her poetry. While some poems have a structured rhyme scheme, others are more free-flowing, punctuated by the directness and conversational tone the poet has with the Lord. There is a level of intimacy that can only be a culmination of all of Gwost’s experiences living in God’s love. Early on, “Imprint” establishes that despite one’s flaws, we are made in the likeness of God, and are loved in spite of our shortcomings.
Themes of mercy and generosity permeate throughout, with works like “Stirred” and “A ‘Like You’ Life” integrating scripture with passion and an emphasis on how one lives a life of faith. At the end of every poem or reflection commentary, Gwost shares a fitting scripture that aligns with the content being shared. Through this fusion of scripture and poetry, a series of pertinent questions are proposed to her audience, chiefly the notion of why would God not want us to be well when we are made in his likeness. Furthermore, the pathway to salvation and spiritual redemption is highlighted in a number of ways that allow audiences of varying interests to embrace the light of the Lord.
Above all else, there’s an aura about Gwost’s poems that advocates for the resurrection of our minds, bodies, and spirits, all within the realm of Christ. At times, this sentiment will be expressed through the idea of meditation and being still, while in other moments, it will be conveyed through more vigorous, short phrases, as it is done with “Battle-Worn.” Phrases like “Shell-shocked,” “mocked,” “scattered,” “torn,” and “forlorn” effectively establish a mood of fatigue and exhaustion within the material world and a need to explore deeper to recognize the Lord’s love. Though the focus is Christ, Gwost tackles numerous daily life concepts, such as cultivating relationships through communication in a largely digital age while learning to let go and shift a person’s attitude to release oneself from pettiness and prejudice.
Overall, the poetry is meaningful and authentic. Gwost’s passion is unquestionable, and her devotion shines through. And that same fervor is what she is striving to instill in her audience. In the way, of course, are the plethora of distractions that pave the path to that spiritual awakening and the opportunity to truly be immersed in God’s love. Nearly every poem, reflection, or analysis of scripture, be that the journey of Moses, or the sparrows on her father’s farm, ties back to the Heavenly Father and His hopes for his children. Ultimately, Gwost’s work is filled with a genuine love of the Lord and a desire to communicate that to her readers while simultaneously helping them understand the urgency of transitioning into God’s light.