Imagine If Faith Was Nothing More Than Luck...

PAD challenge day 9:  For today’s prompt, take the phrase “(blank) If (blank),” replace the blanks with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Run If You’re Being Chased,” “Animals Are Cute If They’re Not Mine,” “I Am Ready To Eat If There’s Food Around,” and “Poem If You Need To.”

 ...no matter what lies behind or ahead God is greater!

The Unknown; it could make us quake and shake in the shoes of new day

The path we cannot see could blind us to what is right where we are

And fear could keep us captive as we contemplate yon come-what-may

If faith was nothing more than luck or chance or ‘wish upon a star’

The Unknown could be like a stone around the neck; it would choke hope

And keep our feet from dancing and our mouth from tasting laughter’s bliss

The impact of its imminence could enslave us to its veiled scope

And cause us to completely miss This, weighted with love’s present kiss

The Unknown if we knew it would for all its gladness let grief rule

In spite of blessing-vaults outpoured we would be bound to mope and mourn

With gaze transfixed upon that Dreaded Place that renders Something cruel

Without assurance that God IS, how cursed the day that we were born

The Unknown is no secret to the Hand that aligns stepping stones

His ways and thoughts beyond our grasp; His promises sealed and secure

Then, though we do not know the content of life’s impending Unknowns

If we believe His Word, obey Mercy’s commands we will endure

The Unknown is a gaping tomb to those who shut their eyes and turn their backs

On He who leads, guides and protects through vales of suffering and death

Where all they know is what they see; no bulwark when their enemy attacks

No Rod and Staff to cling to or Triumph beyond their final breath

© Janet Martin

How does one explain the unexplainable

or faith to the faithless,

or how death is not defeat or the grave the victor? 

...and how, though worshiper's were pummeled with bullets

God did not fail them?!!

How, without belief in the Sure Word of God

does any of this madness make sense?

How will anyone find comfort if they never open

the Book by Love, Hope, Joy and Peace's Author? 

One can no more force belief than one can force love!

Both begotten in the heart of each and every one of us.

Both a choice we make

whether we think we make it or not.

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted. 

 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world. 

 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Isa.12: 4-6