Isaiah 59 Feeling Days
For sometime I’ve had the blessing of being part of a poetry writing group hosted by Q Christian Fellowship. We meet weekly to check in with each other and to write poetry together. I don’t always manage to write something myself, but when I do the group gives me wonderful feedback and support, and I am so often amazed at what my friends in that group compose.
Of course, right now we’re processing together the results of the 2024 general election, and sharing with one another our feelings of anxiety, fear, disbelief, and confusion that so many in this country could elect a convicted felon who bragged of sexually assaulting women. We share an unease and anxiety at being asked to follow the lead of and to respect the office now held by a predator. Last night our poetry expressed where we were in our hearts and minds, and I have to say that my friends did such a better job than me.
Two times last night someone shared poetry which cast me into scripture, recalling to mind important words of faith and aspiration.
The first instance was in a poem written about gentleness, that was in fact a prayer for gentleness. That’s an amazing aspiration and it threw me into the words of St. Paul to the Philippians, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone.” (Philippians 4:5) That verse has always resonated with me, especially living in a time in Western Christianity which more often values the opposite, which values winning fights, winning arguments, and just shouting louder if that’s all we got.
One of the hallmark teachings of Jesus is about breaking cycles of violence, I believe in both speech and action. He said to love one’s enemies, and he taught us an extremely difficult way of giving forgiveness again and again while turning from personal vengefulness. (Matthew 5:38-48 & 18:21-35) I’m not sure about you, but I know that my heart too quickly and too easily reacts to anger with anger and to hatred with hatred. Those statements are not meant to embolden or excuse an abuser, but to keep the abused and injured from joining in the violence. When the time comes for our strength and conviction to be acted upon, gentleness allows us to be just and to know and to share healing.
The second instance of being thrown back on scripture was when another poem’s lament landed me mentally in Isaiah 59. You may be familiar with that chapter, but let me give a quick synopsis. In that chapter we hear first that God can save, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save nor his ear to dull to hear.” But there’s a problem, and that problem is the mess that we make. Humanity’s messiness can be huge and egregious, staining our hands with blood and destroying justice among us. In fact, the chapter laments that justice cannot be found, it can no longer be heard and is now far from those most needing it. The lament is that we look for justice, but cannot find it, because we killed it. We look for light but only find shadows. By verse 14 we hear the haunting words, “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shines evil becomes a prey.” Wow, that really sums up the gut-punch of this past week’s election.
Having had a week to process the general election, and to think about this felon, this abusive predator, again sitting in our highest office, and the damage he will do through those with whom he will surround himself and a Congress which will not oppose him, these truly feel like Isaiah 59 kind of days.
I have no hope that this incoming felon will value truth, uphold justice or shine any light by which we might find a good path. But I do have hope. In the next movement of Isaiah 59 God looks upon the earth and sees the mess people have made, and God is not happy. It says that God looked and saw that there was no justice and no one working for justice, and so God goes on the move. God puts on some familiar sounding armor to those of us who read the Christian scriptures (Ephesians 6:10-18)… God puts on the armor of righteousness, salvation, zeal, and the intention to bring justice against those who have oppressed the people, and moves coast to coast to clean things up!
By the beginning of the next chapter, the people are called to “Arise, shine, for your light has come!” (Isaiah 60) The light of God has broken through the shadows and that light will shine on the people and will reflect from the people to every part of the world. A promise is given that “I will appoint Peace as your overseer and Righteousness as your taskmaster. Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.” (Isaiah 60:17-18) I want to be there in an Isaiah 60 world, but we have to go through these Isaiah 59 days first.
Another blessing for me in these days has been the rhythm of Celtic Daily Prayer, sacred words for the morning, midday and for the evening. Each evening includes an expression of faith, words spoken from Isaiah 59 days in trust of the coming Isaiah 60 morning…
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
Walking through a difficult and hurtful chapter can make the next chapter seem less real and too far off. It especially pains us that this terrible chapter has just begun and has years yet to be written. But it will end, and a new chapter will begin.
I will watch out for you, and I know you’ll be watching out for me. Though I wait for so much which I can only hope to see tomorrow, today I believe.
AMDG, Todd
toddthomas.net 