Category: Humility

Across the Sea

If I were born across the sea

I wonder just what I might be?

Would I believe that I was right,

Deep in my bones, so sure, despite

The fact that others disagree

Who live so far across the sea?

Would I raise my flag above the rest,

Believing my land to be blessed

Above all others, and be for

Each and every bloody war

Waged against my enemies

Who live so far across the sea?

How loudly would I shout my creed

At those who differently believed,

Or would I seek to understand

The faith of those in foreign lands

And share my own on bended knee

With those who live across the sea?

But living this side of the sea

I need not think so needlessly.

For surely all my thoughts are true.

The one who has to change is you.

Or perhaps you think the fool is me,

Who lives so far across the sea?

Under Christ’s Mercy,

Brent

Elijah

They watch me build the altar,

Setting stones one by one.

Rock by rock I raise this pyre

Praying God will light the fire.

I thrust my spade into dry ground

Moving earth on every side.

The sand and rock piles high and steep.

The trench descends three gallons deep.

I lay the wood I hope will burn

The sacrificial beast.

An image once of strength and might.

It’s eyes now fade with dying light. 

I’ve finished now what I’ve begun,

Save to douse all chance of fire’s natural rise.

What happens next must be divine.

Lest people think the glory mine.

Great God of many names!

You alone – Ignite the flame!

Cleanse dull minds that all may see:

This is of you, and not of me.

The fire flashes, blinding, bright.

All eyes go dim, and then, true sight.

I am reduced to clay and sod.

The cry goes forth, ‘Yahweh is God.’

Under Christ’s Mercy,

Brent

(Inspired by 1 Kings 18:20-39).