Each Monday in Swaziland a group of about 15 on my squad meets with our Field Mentor David to learn creative writing and write worship songs. Sometimes we sing worship music, sometimes we break into groups to work on long pieces, sometimes we write short poems with a random word selection. In the past three months I’ve been pushed out of my creative comfort zone as my writing skills have expanded.
The theme of our ”homework” last week (we have one week to work on it by ourselves and share with the group when we reconvene) was John 11, the story of Lazarus. We could take it whatever direction we wanted, whether it be a retelling, an analysis of the Lord’s perfect timing, or a description of the way He reveals His glory.
poem restrictions: 20 lines, 8 syllables a line, not rhyming, 3 internal rhymes
The angle I took:
Jesus -fully divine who became fully human- feels our pain and wants to grieve with us. We’re results-driven and so busy focusing on what He can do for us that we miss the point of the low-points in life. There is beauty and growth in the valleys-that’s where trust and faith are built, that’s where we grow with the Lord.
Beautiful things are more beautiful when we have suffered to get to them, such as when we climb mountains. The summit is the highlight, but part of the beauty is all the pain we suffered to get there. This goes for suffering in life: the glory is felt so much stronger after experiencing pain.
If Jesus had risen in 5 minutes instead of 3 days, people wouldn’t have felt the weight of His death or had time to grieve. His rising wouldn’t have made a lasting impact on anyone and the glory wouldn’t be revealed. When He waited to raise Lazarus from the dead, He was allowing the family to feel the pain and grief so they could see His greater glory revealed in the end.
chest heaves shake internal sighs
christ grieves feeling full forsaken
catch his human gaze fades rapid
my mind divides divine nature
jesus wept; despite impatience
I slept gethsemane guilty
results-driven, quick profit faith
night throws seed the dawn harvest reaps
behold the valley: surrender
no point to peaks save aches below
savior waiting feeling the weight
decipher his timing process
no pain bore no restore to soul
light shone; made shadows acquaintance
ascend from fear; sacred motion
saturday sought victory’s face
five minute rising, root won’t hold
shake dust grave clothes awaken
extract blinders, covenant sealed
glory amplified through patience
