Pages

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Reminder to Remember


Recently I heard this comment (quoted loosely);
The saddest life of all is giving our all 
to something that turns out in the end,
to be completely and utterly worthless/meaningless.

The author of the book of Ecclesiastes
 ponders the meaning of life, finds great wealth 
and tastes every heart's desire
only to come to this awesome conclusion 
after realizing everything in this world is ultimately vanity...

Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

The beauty of the earth is a glimpse-of-Heaven backdrop
to the brutality of the battle of wills
between man and God/God and man






(This reminder to remember was written to myself
and anyone else who can relate to the battle of want
between what is temporal and what is eternal)
...also a bit of a continuance along the lines of thought
that inspired yesterday's poem
 
Sometimes the guise of lesser prizes we are yearning for
Can blind us to the binding gait of those who’ve gone before
The price we are willing to pay, sometimes not worth the cost
For something that will fade away in death, forever lost

Sometimes we grapple with apples of want’s eye, and we miss
The treasure that transcends the pleasure of This transient kiss
For time's measure of moments melts like snowflakes in the sun
While warp and weft of seasons weaves and unravels as one

Sometimes the diamond in our dreams is not as it appears
The pinnacle doffed of its gleam as its procurement nears
The glamor of achievement and the clamor of applause
A trophy of bereavement on ashes of futile cause

God, help us to remember you behold and know our need
Help us note and surrender gloating gods of pride and greed
Help us guard against pitfalls decked in visual appeal
And help us not to put our trust in what we think and feel

God, open our heart’s eyes as we seek and search Your Word
So, stepping-stones and stumbling blocks are not confused and blurred
Remind us, not one jot or tittle is hidden from You
And all will give account when this little lifetime is through

God, keep our eyes upon a prize beyond all mortal ken
For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, amen
Help us put on Your whole armor, with humble, sacred breath
Lest we stray to a way that seems right, but its end is death

© Janet Martin

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

No comments:

Post a Comment

I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!