A paradox too great for me
That God who knows I’m dust
Would count me yet of priceless worth,
Redeem me at great cost.
Dear child, I want to show each day
This mystery is true –
You’re made of dirt and yet, my love,
I give my life for you.

When a friend and I were talking a few weeks ago, the subject of Haiku came up. I was intrigued, so did a bit of research on them. After learning more about their history, the traditional structure of 17 sounds divided into three phrases of 5-7-5, and reading some samples, I was inspired to experiment with this Japanese form of poetry. I especially love the juxtaposition of two ideas represented through vivid imagery. Although most Haiku are nature-centric, I tend to be more inspired to express ideas or truths gleaned from Scripture, so that’s what I ended up using for my first several attempts at writing Haiku.

I enjoyed the challenge of condensing something rich and meaningful into so few syllables; it seems like a good exercise for anyone who would like to hone their thinking and writing skills to communicate more effectively with others. Here are my first three Haiku, the last one being essentially a restructuring of a striking quote by Lorne Sanny in this brief devotional:

heart within battling
united in truth against
deception lurking.

whispers to heaven
through world’s chatter, confusion
God hears. He listens.

unselfish concern
freely accepts another
seeks his good – that’s love.

I look forward to experimenting more with this art form in the coming days and perhaps even branching out into some less familiar territory to tap into observations of nature and more imaginative distinctions between independent ideas.

Grant me, Lord, a heart of thanks
and gratitude to stay
the tide of selfish murmurings
that often plague my way.

Blameless I would rather be
though dwelling in the midst
of crooked men despising life
and walking in darkness.

Breaking forth into the fray
a beam of light declares
there is a greater word of truth
transcending worldly cares.

Christ who died now lives again
his power knows no bounds
for though the fiends of hell laid siege
they could not keep him down.

From beneath the weight of sin
that deigned to crush and kill
the Son of God with cruel hate
he rose and reigneth still.

I would bury once for all
the sin that clouds my mind
with thoughts that burden, weigh me down,
and chain me to their lies.

Crush them, Lord, so I may run
and labor not in vain
to shine a full and glorious life
till Christ returns again.

Living now by faith poured out –
it is my offering –
Be glad, rejoice with me today
with hearts of thanksgiving.

Inspired by Philippians 2:14-18,
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

This year I’ve been doing a rotation pattern through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations for my regular Bible reading. I decided to take a break this month, though, to read through one of the gospels in preparation for Christmas. When I reached chapter 14 of Mark, I was struck by the dramatic image of the rooster crowing. After Peter’s first denial of Jesus, verse 68 narrates, “And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed.”

Did Peter hear the first crow? If he had, would it have stirred his memory of his recent conversation with Jesus? Instead, Peter persisted in his ignorance of Jesus, and concluded his defense with a curse and the declaration, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” The narration continues in verse 72 with these haunting words, “And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”

This poignant account of Peter’s denial brought conviction to my heart and made me wonder how many times I, like Peter, have spoken and acted in a way that denies any acquaintance or friendship with Jesus. From those wonderings came the following poem:

Before the Rooster Crows Again

Before the rooster crows again
listen to your words –
the testimony of your faith
and who you really are.

Before the rooster crows again
stop and contemplate –
the beating of your heart that speaks
of loyalty or shame.

Before the rooster crows again
think of what He said –
the words that pierce expose the sin
of over-confidence.

And when the rooster crows again
look into His eyes –
the mingled sorrow drowned in love
still true though I deny.