This week I am busy participating in the gift of our United Methodist connection known as The Board of Ordained Ministry. Each of us has been reminded what a gift it is to travel the road of discernment with the candidates as well as the friends who serve on the Board. These experiences bring to mind one of my favorite passages of Scripture and a poem which bubbled up from my encounter with the Text last fall.
However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, (so) that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
II Corinthians 4:7 (Amplified)
II Corinthians 4:7 (Amplified)
Vessels of Earth
From the soil of YOUR MAKING we are created,
called into existence by THE VOICE,
a lilting silence, gentle as baby’s breath,
yet, resonant within; singing our slumbering dry bones to LIFE!
As by intention the glistening humus quivers with possibilities…… breathing in THE EMPOWERING GENESIS LIGHT.
In the passing shadows
ordinariness is conformed towards original image.
GREAT UNSEEN HANDS are at work,
moving in and over the feeble, selfish dust.
FINGERS OF PERFECTION, intent in love to knead our brokenness
into usefulness, are shaping these frail vessels of earth,
filling us to the utter brimmed-limits
with GOD’S PRECIOUS TREASURE.
All of this is GOD’S DOING……an extension of GOD’S BEING….
a DIVINE POWER which comes to us from above….
unwilling to remain distant, aloof……..uncaring,
but intent to risk a purposeful invasion……….
Surely this is not of ourselves……
nor only intended for ourselves……..
The grandeur and exceeding greatness belong to GOD ALONE.
From the soil of YOUR MAKING we are created,
called into existence by THE VOICE,
a lilting silence, gentle as baby’s breath,
yet, resonant within; singing our slumbering dry bones to LIFE!
As by intention the glistening humus quivers with possibilities…… breathing in THE EMPOWERING GENESIS LIGHT.
In the passing shadows
ordinariness is conformed towards original image.
GREAT UNSEEN HANDS are at work,
moving in and over the feeble, selfish dust.
FINGERS OF PERFECTION, intent in love to knead our brokenness
into usefulness, are shaping these frail vessels of earth,
filling us to the utter brimmed-limits
with GOD’S PRECIOUS TREASURE.
All of this is GOD’S DOING……an extension of GOD’S BEING….
a DIVINE POWER which comes to us from above….
unwilling to remain distant, aloof……..uncaring,
but intent to risk a purposeful invasion……….
Surely this is not of ourselves……
nor only intended for ourselves……..
The grandeur and exceeding greatness belong to GOD ALONE.
j.e.s 10/08
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