YOU LEAD ME

YOU LEAD ME...

As known by Your shepherd psalmist, David, You are ever near.
He wrote of your leading us in pastures green, beside waters still.
But also through the valley of death’s shadow we go with no fear;
In valleys below, on peaks above, we ever trust in your good will.

The waves may bring us panic; but your voice restores our peace.
Life often drives us to despair; but, in the morning you bring us joy.
Out of the dark, brooding chaos, Your Spirit breathes out new calm.
Confusion created, the fallout of the Fall; but, in You we find confidence.

Loneliness as isolating as darkest fog, is lifted when we feel your communion.
Dispersed abroad like windblown spray, with You we find focused absorption.
From dark, forgotten, hidden seclusion, with You I revel in cosmic inclusion!
Once I felt so very far distant; but, with You comes being especially intimate.

Within, my heart struggles with regret; but, in your knowing smile is relief.
There often is crushing remorse; but, from your tender touch, comes renewal.
Shame pursues with blood in his eyes; but, to you I run and find sanctuary.
Guilt would crush my spirit too often; but, glory, hallelujah, you offer forgiveness.

The injustice and inequity make me weary; but looking above, I am refreshed.
The darkness would render me hopeless; but, your Light shines in and I am cheerful.

No more rebellion from my struggling heart; but I take the cup and quaff submission.
The anger that pride has spawned, will shrink and be gone, washed away by serenity.
Apathy will die its overdue and deserved death; I will soar above on pinions of love.

You are there; and, I know that You care; even before my enemies, I will surely sup.
Anointed, I see the banquet table is set, and the plates sit full, by overflowing cups.
At journey’s end, by your goodness and mercy in your house I will forever be.
So, come what may, whether good or ill, in You, best is worked out of all for me.

COVER or Communicate

HIDE or HERALD

(or, Cover or Communicate)

                At work we have some good artists.  Football season creates some interesting bulletin board illustrations.  “Roll Tide Roll!”   “War Eagle!”  “yah, yah, yah…” It is fun and funny.

                Somewhere, there is a woman feeling betrayed, broken-hearted, embarrassed.  Her husband, on a company trip to NOLA, woke up to an empty motel room, with a hangover.  Evidently a new acquaintance who followed him to his room, waited until he passed out and then she cleaned him out – his clothes, his billfold (with company card!), everything!  Also gone were his dignity and respect.  And his manager was miffed when he failed to show for the morning meeting he was to direct.

                Meanwhile, back at the mill, a new cartoon appeared with him in a barrel, and a hooker flashing his billfold, with company card protruding!  It has been copied, smart-phoned, emailed, pinned on many a bulletin board.  “Now, that is funny!” is the most common response.  Another response, surely more appropriate, certainly more compassionate, is “I must pray – for him, for his family, for his job, for his soul …”

                Why the difference in response?!  One is calloused; the other compassionate.  One is hardened; the other is heart-felt.  One sees the situation as an opportunity for another laugh.  The other sees the predicament as call for concern, prayer, and compassion.  One wants to parade the poor, fallen fool around for everyone to laugh at like some court-jester.  The other wants to take off his coat and cover up the struggling sinner, perhaps even standing between him and his mockers, calling them to higher ground.

                “… love does not rejoice in evil…”  “… love covers a multitude of sins …” – such verses from Holy Scripture come to mind.  It is godly to hide, to protect, to console, to encourage.  To mock, jeer, scorn – these responses come from a dark place.  (It is a little discouraging that is the common response.)  I am not saying that one should hypocritically “sweep things under the rug”.  But, one should not “kick a man when he is down”?! Pick him up!

                I suspect that the jokers are justifying their own sin by looking down on his wrong.  “ … don’t judge me … don’t preach to me … ” (read – “I am not as bad as THAT!)  It seems to help them justify in their own mind their own rebellion and perversion?

                The second, higher, nobler, Christ-like response is mirrored in the words of D. Moody as he answers someone disgustingly judging and condemning a drunk in the gutter – “… but for the grace of God, there go I …”  Wow!!  This godly man, ministering in “Hell’s Acre” (Chicago borough in 1800’s; well named!) knew the strength of Paul’s admonition in Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.  But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Notice the verbs – restore, carry.  Notice the adverb – gently!

                In Luke 18, Jesus tells of these two different perspectives.  One man, self-deceived, thinks he is not like other men.  The other man, self-depreciating, thinks he is “THE sinner!?!”  And, as we appreciate, accept, acknowledge, assess forgiveness, we will pass it on.  None of us needs to carry stones.  Drop them.

                Some look at others stumble and rejoice, “he’s worse than me!”  Others see the same stumbler and moan, “he’s like me; God help him!”  Will you hide, or herald?  Cover or cackle?

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

SOUNDS IN THE SHADOWS

SOUNDS IN THE SHADOWS

Walking down the path, but pausing to inspect a distracting noise coming from somewhere in the darkness, some distance to the side, I heard a low, guttural growl.  But, somehow it also sounded softly feminine and alluring.

                In that moment, when I should have run, I hesitated, hearing, it seemed, my name called.  I spun around to locate the voice.  But, at the same time, my back stung from the razor cuts across my shoulder.  It was on me, snapping and snarling!   In confusion, I turned to see a beautiful smile; and, I impulsively kissed her, only to have my face gnawed off!  Nearly blind, I stumbled, with help from somewhere, back onto the path.  The fiend retreated into the darkness, snarling and pacing menacingly.

                I rolled over, startled awake, in a cold sweat.  Nightmare?  Insight?  Vision?  Warning?  I sometimes hear the howls, eerie and disconcerting, when the night train passes behind my place, its whistle awakening the pack.  But, I believe the other fiends are MORE real.  And, they are not warm-blooded.  I sometimes feel their cold breath.  And it is foul.

                The sounds in the shadows make me edgy.  But, who pulled me back onto the path?!  That question keeps me going.