there is good here, I can see it: how poetry invites truth

It is a hard time. Fear sweeping hold of hearts. Disease and disaster. Pain and loss. We suffer and we worry. We stumble and lift up our heads, our hands–our hearts weary and hungry for change.

But I don’t need to tell you what you already know. You feel it. Deep within you. And I am not going to manipulate you here with putting words to describe the deep concern you surrender to God again and again.

So many things.

And He is good. He is good. In the midst of so much hurt. God does not change. God is love–His love more powerful than anything we can imagine. Nothing can stand against it. Not disease. Not exhaustion. Not overwhelm. Not stress. Not loss of hope. He is bigger than any of that. Anything this world can throw at us. Nothing is too big. Too scary. Too out of control.

He is in control.

A song Justin and I have on repeat this last month is “Nothing Is Too Hard,” by a friend of ours from Kentucky, Stephen McWhirter. His lyrics and voice sing over us when we need it most, helping us to turn our gaze to Jesus in the midst of this life’s storms:

You erase the word “impossible”
You are the God of miracles
Nothing is too hard for You
Not by my strength or by my will
But for You the waves they stand still
Nothing is too hard for You

Nothing is too hard for You, not for You
Mountains move and the dead still rise
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You
You part the sea and heal the blind

In the desert when all hope seems dry
You send the rain, You flood the sky
Nothing is too hard for You
The road ahead is too much for me
But for You, God, it is easy
Nothing is too hard for You

Nothing is too hard for You, not for You, no
Mountains move and the dead still rise
For You Lord, nothing is too hard for You, not for You
You part the sea and heal the blind

For you Lord all things are possible
Every wall must fall in Your name
And for You Lord all things are possible
Every wall must fall in Your name
For You Lord all things are possible
Every wall must fall in Your name

You erase the word “impossible”
You are the God of miracles
Nothing is too hard for You
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You, no
Mountains move and the dead still rise
Nothing is too hard for You, not for You, no
You part the sea and heal the blind
Mountains move and the dead still rise
For You Lord
Mountains move and the dead still rise

“Nothing Is too Hard,” Stephen McWhirter

For the Loop Poetry Project prompt this week, let’s turn our attention to things that are good–in the midst of pain and fear and worry. Specifically, I invite you to turn to memories that make your heart sigh with joy or hope or peace; or experiences you’ve had that have brought joy and contentment and laughter; or dreams you dream that, while they have yet to materialize, are not impossible for God. If your heart is feeling a bit heavy, and it is a struggle to find words to describe things that are good, let God lead you toward Himself. Let Him show you His goodness. Let Him give you words.

For me, this week, many things have threatened to weigh me down, pull me toward the earth. I am tempted toward complacency as a means to protect my heart. It takes courage, I am realizing, to feel things and not get overwhelmed by them. For in our feeling emotions–emotions that are not easy to bear–we can struggle under the burden of them. Or we can turn to the goodness of our God. In prayer this week, when I was sharing with the Father my fears and concerns, I hear Him tell me, “I am with you, to the end of the age.” And I wanted to engage with Him further: letting Him speak to me through poetry felt like the good thing for my heart to do. 

And then in prayer this morning, as I was sharing with Him my fears, He responds with His good perspective:

I want you to hope. I want you to fight alongside Me. I want you to keep your gaze on Me. Do not break gaze. Do not silence your ears. All is not breaking. In the morning the sun is rising. The lies are destructive—telling you fear is more important than hope. You know how to encourage. You know how to look to Me. Do that now. Stand fast, daughter. I’ve got you…There is more beauty coming. All will be restored…Speak hope. Speak joy. Speak connection and love. Love. Love. Love. Shine with my strength in you. The lie is that all things are falling apart—but I am making all things new!

what I heard God say to me in prayer

Amen!

With this hope in mind, what is the good thing for your heart to do? What poem is in you–words for memories or experiences or stories or dreams–that would be so good, so good for your heart if it were told?

When you write your poem, please consider sharing it here, in the comments below–or on social media, using the hashtag #looppoetryproject. You can also share it with the lovely Loop Poetry Project community, in this private Facebook group.

Blessings upon you as you trust in His goodness now.

from this one true heart,

jennifer

This post appeared originally at jenniferjcamp.com