What you remember saves you.
We are asleep with compasses in our hands.
William Stanley Merwin (W. S.) was an American poet with over 50 books of poetry and prose. Over his lifetime (1927-2019), he was honored with numerous awards: including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1971 and 2009) and becoming United States Poet Laureate in 2010.
Sometimes life’s waters become turbulent
God’s seaworthy vessel carries the day
His Word quiets the daily storms we face
With His Spirit, angels leading the way
Jesus has walked on the water we sail
Inspiring many to always believe
Encountering rough “Titanic” struggles
Our journey will overcome, the storm leaves
Sailing off course, we have a champion
Jesus fathoms, walking ahead of us
Father, Son, Holy Ghost . . . never alone
Following our Savior, in whom we trust
God’s faithfulness, sets a perfect heading
Sailing away, His true compass leading
Adrift
Alone, separated
Lost in darkness
God shares His compass
Found
Believe
Follow Jesus
Learn from understanding
Scripture with greater fluency
Lifetime
Spirit
Fills hearts
Hymns sing praises
Our mighty, awesome God
Love
Drifting
Compass forsaken
Man’s stubbornness reigns
Hope’s light reaches out
Jesus
Facing
World’s infections
Physical, social, spiritual
Will Hope pursue Christ?
Faith
Community
Faithfully building
Using Hope’s hands
For God’s lasting goodness
Welcoming
From James 4:1: “Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you?”
Walking their own path
Adrift and alone
Lost in time’s darkness
Hearing nightly groans
Ignoring each cry
All tribes go their way
Survival fading
Feeling life betray
Following nothing
Pride discolors trust
Tomorrow grows cold
Breathing tasteless dust
Speaking harshest words
Tattoo’s lasting sting
Evil for evil
Crashing without wings
Blaming each other
Lost in stormy seas
Tribes now divided
Dropping to their knees
Praying to Father
Seeking direction
Finding His compass
Making corrections
From James 4:7-8: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Lost soul in the wickedest valleys of life
Needing directions, take away this strife
Life’s transgressions mount, God knows them all
Living a life of denial, witnessing an arrogant fall
Every day takes one deeper and deeper into sin
Losing awareness, asking where have we been?
When born, God knows our sinful ways
Needing Him to teach wisdom each day
Life continues to carry us on the very same road
Walking and falling, becomes frustrating and cold
God delivers His judgement, He feels justified
Viewing our sin-filled cravings, never satisfied
Life’s journey demands we find a different route
Using God’s compass, His directions carry clout
God brings deliverance, a better means to live
Declaring praise to our Lord, offerings to give
Another wayward life takes a detour from the Pit
Cleansing of sin, God’s road creates a better fit
God teaches an upright way, follow and trust
Purging all evil, washing white our sinful lust
God’s steadfast love delivers a redeeming route
Hearing God’s joy, His compass brings us about
From Luke 8:23-24: “And while they were sailing He [Jesus] fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to Him and woke Him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And He woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, they ceased, and there was calm.”
Photo by Emiliano Arano on Pexels.com
Sometimes life’s waters become turbulent
God’s seaworthy vessel carries the day
His Word quiets the daily storms we face
With His Spirit, angels leading the way
Jesus has walked on the water we sail
Inspiring many to always believe
Encountering rough “Titanic” struggles
Our journey will overcome, the storm leaves
Sailing off course, we have a champion
Jesus fathoms, walking ahead of us
Father, Son, Holy Ghost . . . never alone
Following our Savior, in whom we trust
God’s faithfulness, sets a perfect heading
Sailing away, His true compass leading
Photo by Alex Andrews on Pexels.com
Photo by Aman Jakhar on Pexels.com
From Psalm 51:3: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
Lost soul in the wickedest valleys of life
Needing directions, take away this strife
Life’s transgressions mount, God knows them all
Living a life of denial, witnessing an arrogant fall
Every day takes one deeper and deeper into sin
Losing awareness, asking where have we been?
When born, God knows our sinful ways
Needing God to teach wisdom each day
Life continues to carry us on the very same road
Walking and falling, becomes frustrating and cold
God delivers His judgement, He feels justified
Viewing our sin-filled cravings, never satisfied
Life’s journey demands we find a different route
Using God’s compass, His directions carry clout
God brings deliverance, a better means to live
Declaring praise to our Lord, offerings to give
Another wayward life takes a detour from the Pit
Cleansing of sin, God’s road creates a better fit
God teaches an upright way, follow and trust
Purging all evil, washing white our sinful lust
God’s steadfast love delivers a redeeming route
Hearing God’s joy, His compass brings us about
Photo by Valentin Antonucci on Pexels.com
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