Faith.

I had the honor of reading this poem written by my friend Jenn recently.

Wow.

The words and images she conveys are real, personal, and poignant. 

I read it slowly, and then read it again.  It spoke to me so much that I asked her if I could share it here. 

Thanks, Jenn!

I hope this poem speaks to you as much as it did me.

-Amy.

Faith.

It’s like you’re spinning and spinning
And nobody’s winning
Because you’re going around
There’s no end to be found
But you just keep on going
Because you’ve no way of knowing
Where you’ll find the finish line
Or when to stop just in time,
But amidst all the clutter and commotion
Your heart cries with so much emotion—
“GOD!”
And cries again “God!”
Because there are no other words
When you’re lost in the herds
Of the wandering sheep of the world
The burden around you swirled
You cry out, ‘give me an answer, a sign!
To appease my confused mind!’
And when the darkness tries to drown
You worry, wonder, then you frown
There isn’t anywhere to turn
Inside your heart, you still yearn
For light and comfort to carry you away,
Someone to lean down and say,
“It’s fine, I’ll take care of you.”
And know those words are true.
Despite the anger, hope, and rage
Still feeling like you’re in some cage
The lock is done, the bars are sturdy
The man that’s preaching is rather wordy
Words mean nothing to you now
Alone, but you still wonder how
There might be light, there might be good,
But only if you understood
The path to take, the way to go,
The secrets no one wants to show.
So again amidst the darkening shroud
You try to say, scream out loud—
“God!”
And try again, “God!”
But it’s no use, you’re out of options
With no sight of helping beacons
And under this smothering pride
The sins and wounds you try to hide.
But it’s no use, you’re out of chances
No more, the enemy advances.
Call out again and maybe you’ll find
Things come this time better-aligned,
No use in screaming, crying, thrashing,
Cease your self-righteous bashing.
You’re out of league and out of touch
Something you never thought of very much.
Can you still reach out? Can you still think back?
To when you realized what it is you lack?
Stop.




The tears they course down your face
And your heart begins to race
It’s sudden and fleeting
The heart that is beating
Within your breast
Inside your chest
Stop.


Think about where your loyalties lie
And why all you ever did was try
The results were never good enough
But there are some made of stronger stuff
On whose shoulders burdens dissolve
He who can, your sins, absolve
The curtain parts, your blackened appearance in the mirror
That swiftly fades then brightens, turning clearer.
This light, this hope, this reverence
Hardly appearing to be happenstance
This is more than mere affection,
More than liking above caution,
This is love.
Real love.
It is hope for sanity
This is love in beauty
What no words can say nor express
His eternal love and gentleness
In the hope found through salvation
Can be no passing notion
Life with passion and with pain:
Through that, one finds gain
To live in His Love,
Our Holy God above
When all has crashed to a point no longer standing
And you feel there’s no hope of safe landing,
On your knees, you’re safer there
On your knees, unable to bear,
Give it up to the Father,
For He’s much abler
To hold you up, keep you steady
And to let go when you’re ready,
But always there in case you fall
To push you forwards when you stall
To give you comfort in your pain
To share in joy again and again.
So worship on your knees and give Him due
He, most Holy, the artist who created you,
He shares in your disappointments and your glee
Always loving you most mightily.
Never forget.
This life duet.
Live in fashion that your life-story
Will reflect His matchless glory
Cry out your devotion
Never going through the motion
He is greater far
Creator of every star
Of true worship worthy and deserving
Dedication most unswerving—
“GOD!”
And shout again, “GOD!”
For there is no other
In his arms we gather
For hope and comfort
And when we tend to revert,
He’s there with reminder
And bring us out from under,
Into love.
Unfailing love
Everlasting love
Graceful love.
Just love.

 

Feel free to share your favorite lines or responses in the comments!  I have!