In This World
I look today across our once-new City on a Hill, bright enough
To be a beacon through global everlasting wars and famines.
Oh, yes, there were inherited sordid darknesses here—-being inhabited
By humans—but more light: hesitating, but rising, light. Hope.
The hearts in whom the light burned were found everywhere,
Creating ways to kindle more lights. Life. Growing Liberty.
Some peaceable Pursuit of happiness. Awakening Justice.
Now throughout our City —no gleaming alabaster after all,
But grime of human tears– appear growing proliferations
Of darkness. Violent suppressions of life multiply, renewed
Silencing of voices, spreading penuries, withholding of food
By new hoarders of wealth, denial of medicine, outright murders.
What we had reduced awhile gains ground. In places
The lights are going out faster than we can relight them.
We live Give me your tired and your poor. Many of us actually
Follow Christ, still pray Thy Kingdom Come, join neighbors doing, too,
The things that make for peace–the binding up of wounds, heading
Into tomorrow. Were we always the remnant? –Not of some new cloth,
But of that ancient, that primaeval fabric, the one like a yeasted dough,
The venerable starter from a hundred years ago, a thousand,
Thousands—vigorous, nourishing, primed to reproduce,
Redemptive, being the change. SEEing
Fellowman Fellowoman Fellowchild:
Given sacredness.
Be our Light in the darkness, Lord, and in your great mercy
Defend us from all perils of this upsurge of night.
Father of Lights, be our Vision that we not be blinded
By bitterness. Be our Courage that we not be overcome
With dread. Be our Life that we not succumb to contempt.
Be our Strength to be your Kingdom here.
Mercy, we remember, is undeserved.
Save– if not our City–
Our City’s lives.
Deanna Harrington Christiansen 2017
All Rights Reserved
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ~~The Lord Jesus Christ, quoted in the Gospel of John 16:33
During the last two years I have had to take time to simply look for and celebrate all the goodness in our world, and even in our confused nation. There is much energy to find encouraging. But one has to look beyond the surface of despair our media masters prefer to profit from.
Thrive Movement, Venus Project, Care2, Upworthy, Oeoc, Humanity’s Team, just a few that come to mind … Mindvalley…
Your communication is much appreciated, and I certainly empathize with your seeking good encouragement in any national and international circumstances. While being wise– as God defines wisdom!– concerning our own spiritual health, let us in the words of John Wesley, a Christ-follower, endeavor to do all the good we can, to all the people we can, for ever as long as we can, because of all Christ has done for us– and because he has commanded it.
AS ALWAYS YOU MANAGE TO PAINT THE PICTURE PRETTY PLAINLY. YES – EVIL/DARKNESS IS TRYING TO COVER THE EARTH WHILE THE GOOD THAT IS STILL VIABLE STRUGGLES TO OVERCOME IT. ALWAYS THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE FORCES OF THE DARK AND THE LIGHT OF GOD, BUT WE KNOW THAT IN THE END DARKNESS IS ALREADY DOOMED AND HIS GLORIOUS LIGHT WILL PREVAIL. IT’S THIS IN-BETWEEN PERIOD OF OUR PRESENT DAYS THAT WE STRUGGLE WITH AND OUR MEMORY OF WHAT THIS NATION ONCE WAS. SO – WE LOOK UP AND WAIT. OUR TIME WILL COME – HIS LIGHT WILL OVERCOME.
Yes, let us not become weary in well-doing. For not only will He overcome, He has already overcome! In eternal “time”. We will see it in our own understanding …ultimately. Your steadfast looking to the Lord is a strength for all of us, friend!
“Be our Light in the darkness, Lord, and in your great mercy
Defend us from all perils of this upsurge of night.
Father of Lights, be our Vision that we not be blinded
By bitterness. Be our Courage that we not be overcome
With dread. Be our Life that we not succumb to contempt.
Be our Strength to be your Kingdom here.”
Powerful words, Deanna. Words of hope and perspective in these odd and challenging times. Thank you, be well, and “hi” to John! Merryl and I are good!
Thanks so much Brad. Good to hear you and Merryl are well! The opening words of the prayer are paraphrased from the most uncommon Book of Common Prayer.
It blesses me to know you two are there still creating music.