My weary eyes need reminders to
view the galaxies aright. Focused on
the sliver of moon, they forget an
entire orb hides in the dark.
I gaze at dull concrete, traipse
around the observatory, past
an entrance where God stands in the
doorway beckoning me to peer,
Galileo-like, past roofs, across
trees, into velvet sky.
As feet pause on sure ground,
a whisper beckons to dream
above, beyond to distant beauty.
Consider the immeasurable
heavens inside, reckon my
need as I’m handed a telescope.
Brightened eyes rest and remember.
This poem was written as part of Poems for Ephesians, an online project of D.S. Martin at McMasters Divinity College. I was particularly taken by Eugene Peterson’s rendering of these verses in Chapter 1: 17) “I ask the God our master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, 18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, 19 oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength! 20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments,”
How appropriate this passage is for these times, #lifeinthetimeofthecorona, where we cling to the truth that God is “in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments.” And, that as believers in Jesus, we would be urged to “grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life.”
I want to reckon my need as I’m handed a telescope, to rest and remember the power of Jesus in me and on display in the world, from the particular to farflung planets. He is over it all.
Thank you for translating the idea of negative space into a focused image with these words: “Focused on/ the sliver of moon, they forget an/ entire orb hides in the dark.”
By faith we see what God sets before us of heavenly scenes.
(They have a minor attempt of mine on Poems for Ephesians.)
Stunning, Jody! “Consider the immeasurable heavens inside” inspires me, as we’re cloistered inside our homes. God has given us a precious gift of un-committed hours to explore the immeasurable heavens of our spirits–where Jesus dwells and we revel in the constellations of his presence, goodness, encouragement, comfort, peace, and more. It is a glorious way of life indeed!
Nancy, I like the idea of being “cloistered” inside our homes and being given the gift of time. I’ve been reading a lot more–that is always a good thing!
Yes, I’ve been reading a lot too. Any new recommendations?!
So lovely and inspiring, Jody, and it reminds me of… who ? Maybe Gordon MacDonald? Maybe Morton Kelsey? Some author referred to our vast inner spaces, just waiting for discovery. I keyed in on that word “beyond,” and had clipped that from a magazine, reminding me (in a collage I’d like to make) to look beyond Corona circumstances and death tallies to the God who reigns and who, I pray, will reign in me. Thank you so much for your creative sharing.
Lynn
Lynn, I’m gobsmacked that you might compare this poetic offering to something by George MacDonald. I had the very gracious help of Editor Don Martin to fine tune this piece. I am so grateful for his time. And thank you.
I’m with Carol, love that embodied idea: immeasurable wonders within, “utter extravagance at work in us . . .”
Thanks for sharing the telescope. 🙂
Telescopes, microscopes–all the ways we see God–from planets to the particulars, eh? Thanks for your ‘amen’, friend.
You are most welcome… actually it was Gordon MacDonald, but you may remain gobsmacked nonetheless. It is a meaningful, beautiful poem–beyond beautiful, actually. Thank you for penning it!
This poem is God’s glory poured through you, Jody. Thank you. So perfect to read today.
Considering the” immeasurable heavens inside”–that’s where I want to train my heart and mind to dwell.
Oh, God’s glory poured through me. Yes, may it be so. Thank you for your kind words, friend.