Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Instructions

            No wonder children become confused

            when encouraged to be amused by

            comics and cartoons and yet

            admonished to remember

            it’s only pretend.

           

            Stories, movies, theater all

            make believe.

           

            Next we wonder why as they grow

            scoff at faith stories, analyze each

             by cynicism. Can maybe see only

            momentary fragments, glimpses

            of gift, question eternity.

           

            Resurrection life beyond comprehension,

            promises blemished by facts.

            Need to capture creation’s beauty,           

            with fresh imagination.  Life anew

            fresh from decay, seasons change,

            discover  soul heritage  in

            breathless histories.

           

            Imagination and reality build bridges,

           

            connect the impossible.

           

           

           

            

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How has faith been passed down through generations in your family? Or perhaps how has it not?

2.     Have you considered writing down your own story of faith? What kind of movie genre would fit your experience?

3.     There is a time in every child’s life when they need to understand the difference between lies and truth. Do you think we so overemphasis reality though that we can also remove wonder, imagination, and belief in an impossible faith?

4.     Share: What legacy of faith do you most want to be remembered for? Why?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:22, “By faith, Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.”

Were some listeners tempted to scoff at an old man’s imagination? Think of it as pure fantasy. Or did some remember the stories of Jacob’s dreams when young, or his prophecies when in jail, and wonder. What parts of those old stories were totally real and what parts were around the campfire embellishment to entertain children?

Joseph’s actions at his death re-emphasized the truths he sustained throughout his life. He held onto his youth-filled visions God had given him. He endured betrayal, slavery and jail and saw it as God turning to good what men had intended for evil.

Then, despite experiencing the opposite in success and power, Joseph never forgot where his true inheritance lay. He saw himself as God’s servant and as one of His children.

Yesterday I heard a sermon by Rev. Efrem Smith who suggested that today the Christian community should consider being an honest and vibrant movie trailer for God’s story. Joy for what has been given, and anticipation for what is yet to come.

Joseph left his people an Old Testament version of an upcoming attraction—not to be missed. Joseph recognized and witnessed that his death was not an end, but only a piece in progress, and he pointed to God’s story as the lifeline. In God’s story absolute impossibles are real.

Lord, please do not let despair or acclaim pull us from Your purposes in our heart motives or our action directions. Help us to “keep our eyes fixed on you” and remain as firmly grounded in faith as Joseph, regardless of circumstances.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 145: 13, 15

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.”

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.”