I stumbled and tripped through weeds and through thorns
I ran and I ran because that's what I swore
I said "It's a battle" and so that's what it was
I wrestled the journey for my own martyr-cause
Until
The tall trees before me appeared now below
The sky had fallen and the ground looked like snow
I turned to the left and I turned to the right
No way back so I followed the light
I am no diver with intrepid skill
So I closed my two eyes and just fell with my will
Downward and upward and downward I fell
Swirling and tumbling and scared as hell
"I'm drowning" I thought with a terror so real
Til I gasped for a breath and was met with a chill
Pure, clean, clear, bright, oxygen breath
"This cannot be right, have I not met my death?"
Still underwater my mind couldn't hold
All the confusion of my earth-logic soul
"Let go" I heard whispered from a source so close
"Now kick" and I did though I still had no hope
Flying or swimming were all one sensation
While this air I could breath filled me with elation
This cannot be water, must be something new
But it looks and it feels so convincing, so true
The more I adjusted to where I was at
The better I felt, and the more fun I had
Gliding and swirling while held safe and close
My body now flew, with arm and leg strokes
"Higher, up higher" that voice came again
Familiar and comforting, the voice of a friend
So I kicked and I trusted which way I should go
Without clear direction or any control
Breaking the surface, I checked back to see
Where I had been and what I could feel
Water it was, but no water I'd known
Bringing me somewhere that now felt like home
Still my mind was trying to find
How I could go down to go up all this time
I had come higher, much more than before
The place I had left with the weed-tangled floor
Now there were mountains, a jetty, a boat
I was sure I was swimming now, keeping afloat
As I adjusted my eyes to the shore
I knew that I knew that I'd been here before
At last I saw him who'd whispered to me
Smiling and waving, freer than free
"You're here" he called and the sound was delight
It cleared out my mind with its love and and its light
Smiling I couldn't get there fast enough
Wading, my feet felt the stones below, rough
He held out his hands, strong, steady and warm
In his, mine looked cold, rough and worn
He looked in my eyes with the steadiest gaze
Pouring out love and acceptance and praise
How can he see me and still say such things?
How can he know me and not balk at my sins?
He said "look again at my beautiful hands"
And I saw there were holes in both of his palms
"I'm sorry" I said, "I've been such a disgrace"
"I've paid for it, dear one, come back to my embrace"
So I stood there before him and let the tears pour
He held me in silence and loved me some more
"Just sit with me now, there's no rush to go"
So we sat side by side and watched pure water flow
Habbakuk 2:14 ESV
For the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
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