Hope and Despair

Hope and despair,

side by side, comingled like lovers,

estranged but intimate—

of necessity joined

in a world that feeds both.

Hope looks beyond to the “other”—

promised, longed for.

Despair looks to what is,

heavy and real—

the pressing darkness

of a world given to

thorns, labor, and frustration.

Complications and too many too manys.

        Where is the pillar of fire that leads?

        Where is the cloud that calls us on?

        Where is the still, small voice in this hurricane?

If You, Holy One, are a resident guest,

why does my faith-walk seem like a script I’m reading,

rather than a life I’m living?

*  *  *

“In You, oh Lord, I have taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

deliver me in Your righteousness,

turn Your ear to me,

come quickly to my rescue;

be my rock of refuge,

a strong fortress to save me.

Ps. 31:1-2