I like to understand things – especially if they relate to faith, creativity, and community. Sometimes, in my quest to understand I go too far. I dissect something so much that it is no longer recognizable. I hold the moment, or the idea of the moment, so hard that I crush the life out of it.
As a writer, I tweak an article so much it becomes mechanical.
In community, I try too hard to create a deep sense of connectedness and stress everyone out.
As a follower of Christ, I try so hard to understand God that I forget to love Him.
Here is a poem that reminds me that some moments don’t have to be understood, not all articles have to be perfect, and I don’t have to plumb the depths of theological tombs to experience God’s love.
The Mystery
by Ralph Hodgson
He came and took me by the hand
Up to a red rose tree,
He kept His meaning to Himself
But gave a rose to me.
I did not pray Him to lay bare
The mystery to me,
Enough the rose was Heaven to smell,
And His own face to see.
This post is a part of the Watercooler Wednesday conversation over at Ethos. You can read today’s discussion here.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice… and great to see you around the watercooler too!
Paul,
I hear what you’re saying. As a writer I analyze everything to death, I just kill it, throw it on the ground and then stomp on it somemore. This poem brought tears to my eyes, so timely for me, thanks for sharing.