To the nonbeliever,
the world may seem mundane,
the days are blended,
the colors faded, and the joy is muted—
pining for meaning,
the tree of life grows weary,
its branches heavy with unfulfilled desires.
Yet to the believer,
the burden of life carries weight—
“works without faith is dead,”
every moment a step towards tomorrow,
every tomorrow a whisper of eternity.
But when does this journey end,
and when does the promise begin?
But don’t despair my child,
for in front of you—exaltation looms,
a shimmering horizon in view.
So embrace the intermissions,
that pause to bless your labor,
for as long as you honor your Creator,
you need not look back.
For this life is His commission,
a calling for you to fulfill,
so say a prayer of thanksgiving,
as you walk His path with grace,
knowing that your heart beats
in rhythm with His divine purposes—
in every work, meal, and rest.
By: ElRoyPoet, 2024
Cover Song “Day By Day” by: Broadway revival troupe of “Godspell”
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Bible, Matthew 6:34
Satan’s story to Eve in Genesis 3 and to Jesus in Matthew 4 was that they could live independently of God, that is, they could be their own god, set their own standards, let circumstances dictate their decision. But it is a lie.
Either God controls your life by your choosing to let him, or Satan controls your life by your choosing to let him and by your choosing to just go with flow. You and I were designed by God to be ruled by a spirit . Our choice is not whether to be ruled, but rather by which spirit we will be ruled.
So, the Christian’s life is based on decisions, the process of making deliberate right choices without being swayed by Satan’s input into our appetites or emotions.
In Satan’s temptation of Eve in Genesis 3 and in his temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, we see the tactics he used and still uses with us. While varied in their details, most temptations fall into one of three categories as listed in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Excerpts from How does Satan tempt us?
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understands, he will not answer. Do you see a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him. He that enables his servant from a child, shall be rewarded with grief, by that ungrateful son. An angry man stirs up arguments, and a hot-tempered man causes many transgressions. A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. Whoever partners with a thief hates his own soul: he hears cursing and denies it not. The fear of man brings a trap: but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler’s favor; but every man’s judgment comes from the Lord. An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is detestable to the wicked.” Proverbs 29:18-27
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
So, You Just Became a Christian?
Poem Prompt:
Work, Eat, Sleep, Praise the Lord.
Work, Eat, Sleep, Thanks be to the Lord.
Work, Eat, Sleep, In the name of Jesus, Amen.
To the nonbeliever, life can seem mundane: live for today, for tomorrow it will end. Pining for an unfulfilled life will sap the joy from your tree of life. To the believer, life can be burdensome—”works without faith is dead.” James 2:17 Today leads to tomorrow, and tomorrow to heaven, but when? An eternity can seem so far away. But don’t worry about your next destination, for life is a series of intermissions, and as long as you honor your Creator, you don’t have to despair because you’re on His journey.
Poem Analysis:
This free verse poem presents a profound meditation on the contrasting perspectives of believers and non-believers regarding life’s purpose and fulfillment. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, the speaker navigates a journey that emphasizes the importance of faith while acknowledging the struggles of existence. This poem employs thematic elements, structure, and emotional depth to offer insights into the human experience as viewed through the lens of spirituality.
Contrasting Perspectives: Nonbeliever vs. Believer
The poem opens by addressing “the nonbeliever,” portraying a world devoid of vibrancy. Phrases such as “mundane,” “blended days,” and “faded colors” suggest a sense of numbness where joy is muted. This imagery encapsulates a struggle for meaning that can lead to existential weariness, metaphorically represented by “the tree of life” that grows weary and bears “unfulfilled desires.” Unmet aspirations can lead to a sense of stagnation and despair, emphasizing the challenges faced by those who seek fulfillment outside a spiritual context.
In contrast, the poem shifts focus to “the believer.” Here, the language conveys a sense of purpose, albeit intertwined with a recognition of life’s burdens. The phrase “works without faith is dead” underscores the belief that actions devoid of spiritual conviction lack true meaning. The use of “each moment a step toward tomorrow” reflects a forward-looking mindset, suggesting that believers find hope in the continuity of life and the promise of eternity. Even amid struggles, there is a whisper of hope and the quest for deeper significance, encapsulated in the question, “But when does this journey end, and when does the promise begin?”
Encouragement and Hope
As the poem progresses, it offers reassurances to the believer. The phrase “But don’t despair, my child” introduces a nurturing tone, indicating divine care and guidance. The subsequent imagery of “exaltation looming” and “a shimmering horizon” evokes a sense of optimism. This positive outlook encourages readers to embrace life’s intermissions—those pauses that can often bring clarity and gratitude for the labor they invest in daily life.
The exhortation to honor “your Creator” serves as a reminder that faith can provide a lens through which to view life’s trials. Emphasizing the importance of thanksgiving as one walks “His path with grace” reinforces the idea that gratitude and recognition of divine purpose can lead to personal fulfillment. The poem suggests that life, with all its complexities, is not simply a series of random events but “His commission,” framing human existence as a calling infused with meaning.
Divine Rhythm and Purpose
The closing lines of the poem encapsulate the core message of the piece: the connection between faith and the rhythms of life. The phrase “your heart beats in rhythm with His divine purposes” beautifully ties together the themes of spirituality, labor, and daily life. The repetition of “every work, meal, and rest” emphasizes that every aspect of existence is infused with purpose when viewed through the prism of faith.
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