Of Falls and Flying

You have lived in that place,
that valley of death, of darkness,
so sure

your soul was lost,
forgetting all you had been taught
as a child, forgetting

all you had read, taught, even preached,
a truth true until your own fall,
a failure

that whispered the worst lie of all,
that somehow you were unforgivable,
that you, alone and unique in the word

were exempt from the love
so desperately craved
as you lay in the valley.

But it was a lie

Because from the mountains,
the sun rose.
From the mountains the day began anew,

and finally you learned the truth
books and study, borrowed faith,
sermons and songs

could never instill,
a realization that you can only fly
lifted by wings

that are not yours.

======================

About the poem

The bible is full of references to being lifted up by God. Two of my favorites come from the Psalms.

Psalm 121 says at one point “I life my eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh help.”. That phrase was carved into the chapel at Hollins College (now University) where I completed my masters many, many years ago, and has echoed in my head ever since. In Psalm 91, we read of being lifted up on Eagles Wings.

One of things I have learned, often the hard way, is that when I live spiritually, in relationship with God, my life goes well. When I separate from him, life goes less well, at times, terribly. The lesson is that we are lifted up, it’s by a power greater than our own. As a Christian, I believe it is God’s power that lifts us. But the principle holds true in many other faiths as well. We are lifted by a power beyond ourselves.

As we think and pray our way through Lent, we are tempted to think mournfully, of the upcoming suffering and death of Christ. And there IS sadness there. But there is also victory, joy, and the knowledge that through the suffering and death, our lifting up became possible. So for me, it’s a season of rejoicing, of thankfulness, of lifting my eyes to the mountains that surround me and, with a huge smile, saying “thank you.” from a heart that has been broken, and raised again, and has experienced the miracle of God’s lifting in his own life.

The picture was taken at the quarry just across from my house. You can click on it for a larger version.

Tom Atkins

About these Lenten Poems

My friend Cathy Benson is on to something. Instead of doing without for Lent, she is doing MORE with a prayer project that is thoughtful and caring.

Giving up something for Lent is a church tradition, not a biblical command. It was designed to get our minds and hearts right as we approach the holy week and Easter. It’s a good spiritual discipline.

But I think a spiritual discipline of doing something more is also a powerful way to prepare our hearts for Easter. The Methodists, through their “Rethink Church” initiative have come up with a photographic way to do this (see below). I am going to add a poem with each image for the lent season to help prepare myself. Feel free to glom on to the idea, visit the blog and read, or share your thoughts and prayers.