The world has stopped – but You, Jesus, do not stop.
Its outer wheels have stopped turning -
but the inner ones, like a clock,
continue to stutter and speed up, to jar and jerk;
offering hope – that balance will once again be restored.
Can our inner workings look to You - for You give health and life!
We look to the springtime, with its promises of new life:
the summer sun, the April rain, and lush green fields.
We search for flowers and buds, butterflies and bees –
insects reminding us of our beautiful world and new birth.
The poison we’ve created has touched us all; no one is spared.
Right now, death is consuming us –
It is seen on every media outlet, every telephone call,
every newspaper front page, every prayer offered,
every thought in silence, and in our nightly nightmares
and our daytime reflections – for we surely cannot dream!
Oh, where are You God!?
Now in our pain and fear, torment and dread – we need You!
We’ve always needed you, even in our selfishness –
But where are we…in You, oh generous Giver of Life?
You have been calling us forever – loving us and saving us…
Still, we block You out and close the doors of our stony hearts.
We say from the rooftops: ‘We don’t need You!’
But You, Lord of Life, look on – and Your tears fall on us
but their salt does not cleanse and heal,
for we are cold, indifferent and selfish –
refusing, boldly, to look for Your light.
And walk towards the Light of the World,
as we cower in the darkness and fear
of our denial and sin.
But You, God, Father of Mankind,
Having not stopped loving us. For You are Mercy.
Forgive us, I pray.
Look, oh God, at what we’ve done and forgive us…
There must surely be 10 just men!
We kill, fight, pollute, torment, poison, destroy, enslave and terrorise.
But we can love, forgive, show mercy, help, in kindness and in peace.
There must be hope – for You, Creator, made us.
‘Save us, Saviour of the World…
For by Your Cross and Resurrection, You have set us free.’
JULIEHUGHES(C)POETRY MARCH2020