I give you fair warning, friends: it’s about to get all biblical – and poetical – up in here.
*NOTE: If “biblical” isn’t your thing, fret not! Methinks you will still find plenty to enjoy in this post. Much of my poetry flows from prayer and scripture, so I just wanted to give a peek behind the scenes. 🙂 Read on – at the very least, there’s a cool picture of me with a bird on my head.*
Last week, my daily scripture readings (taken from the daily lectionary in the Book of Common Prayer) combined Isaiah 50 with Mark 6. The former contains some of my favorite, most intriguing verses from this prophet (which, I believe, is my favorite Old Testament book):
“Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant,
who walks in darkness
and has no light,
yet trusts in the name of the Lord
and relies upon his God?”
Normally, “walking in darkness” is not seen as a good thing. But here, the key word is trust: I can’t see the way ahead, but this is where God put me, so I’m going to keep walking and trust His hand to guide me.”
This, Isaiah says, is a good plan.
He goes on to say that those who build their own fires – who try to contrive their own light to guide their way – will walk straight into disaster.
NOT a good plan.
Mark 6 is about Jesus’s disciples getting into a boat, heading out onto the lake, and . . . not making it very far. When Jesus (who stayed behind to pray) sees that they are “straining at the oars against an adverse wind”, he walks across the water to them. They are not as delighted as you might expect, for they think he is a ghost and start panicking accordingly. While his best friends are screaming bloody murder at the sight of him (that must feel nice), Jesus responds with, “Chill, guys; it’s me.” He then climbs into the boat with them – and the wind stops.
Interesting sequence, I thought:
1) Jesus speaks peace over the situation and commands them not to be afraid – while the storm is still raging, mind.
2) THEN he climbs into the boat.
3) And THEN the wind ceases.
He didn’t “save the day” first.
He offered them peace and gave them the opportunity to act on it while still in the midst of the trouble.
Oh! Then, after all that, they reach the other side – and Jesus immediately sets about healing people and teaching. This wasn’t a “let’s get to the other side so we can relax” situation. This was a “let’s get to the other side, because that’s where the work is” scenario.
I’m only scratching the surface of these scriptures. But, in praying through them, I found this poem spewing itself onto the pages of my journal. I hope – I think – it could be encouraging to all who have ever found themselves – or find themselves still, every day – in the boat, out in the open, “straining . . . against an adverse wind.”
May it speak peace to you.
The Other Side
The waves rise up around us
The wind is swinging wide
All hopes that guide and ground us
To reach the other side
Are faltering and failing
The stars have long been lost
Our once auspicious sailing
Now bears a heavy cost
What was that shining vision
Which led us to this ride?
’Tis blurred by doubt’s derision
– As is the other side.
It cannot be presumption
To raise our open hands
When we have spurned consumption
Of vanity’s demands
We’re asking for a bearing
And strength against the tide
To pull us through despairing
Safely to the other side.
We will not light a fire
Nor strive to guide our way
With our own pale desire
But, desperate for the day
We plead for help to listen
To hear, and to abide
In sight of morning, glisten-
-ing beyond the other side.
So come to us on water
Though we think you a ghost
We are your son and daughter
Climb in, and let us host
You as we journey onwards
Not just to rest and hide
But following you dawn-wards
Once we reach the other side.
Intriguing and thought provoking! What powerful words today!
Most appropriate today. Thanks.
You spew good stuff, Ms Nelson. Amen!