What hope looks like

I.

I turn away from poisoned waters

Fleeting and futile entertainments
Viral marketing
Mass Media fearmongering
The gossip of neighbours
The biting criticisms of the faithless
The naysayers that dwell on past mistakes

I turn to streams of light

Eternal truths that edify
Strengthenning liturgies
Proclamations of goodness
The testimonies of God's people
The declarations of success
The liberated that grow into the future

What does it mean to thirst

Do I know how to drink...
Do I know how to breathe

Where is the breast upon which I should suckle
The breast of El Shaddai

Am I despetate enough to gulp the Scriptures

Will I listen

II.

I turn away from the concerns of this life

Mortal beauty therapies and treatments
The daily hustle
Rat races up skull built hilltops
The lure of illicit sex
The panic of geopolitical threats
Badges of merit that brag

I turn to the bread of life

Sure wisdoms that sustain
Words tried and true
Promises from a faithful giver
The miracles of one approved
A power that has already overcome
The eternal Word of God

What does it mean to hunger

Do I know how to eat...
Do I know how to swallow

Have I been a bolemic Christian
Do I taste Messiah only to regurgitate

Am I desperate enough to seek God's Law by obeying and thus embodying it

Would I allow Christ to become me

III.
I clear away this dark swampland

Chaos that suffocates
Remorse that blinds
Atheism that deafens
Neglect that strangles
Paranoia that condemns
Ignorant words that curse

I make way for Jerusalem to return here

Remembering Badawang
Recalling Hafit
Rebuiding Zion
Reliving Shabarimala
Reclaiming Agung

What unrealistic expectations do I hold
about this life path

What arrogant demands am I placing on my Master

Since when did it become all about me

IV.

I lay aside these sackloth and ashes

The tears of grief
The flames of rage
The toxins of unforgiveness
The shadows of despare
The claims for compensation

I don my birthright

The blood of my Saviour
The loincloth of the Spirit
The garment of praise
The armor of God
The belt of truth
The crown of thorns

Had I not tripped myself up
So why did I blame the Lord
Why did I deny His presence

Surely He has done no wrong
Wisdom is known by her children
And I have been foolish

Mother remind me again
Remind me of Father's love

Mountiantops of joy
Lavishings of pleasant surprise

Smotherings of love
Strangulations of quaking embrace

The embarrassment of kisses
That leave their mark on Jacob

Remind me that I was chosen
Desired and planned for

No one can take my Father's love for me
It is mine!

V.

In the bitter cold of winter
Whispers of my heavenly family sustain
Like the chants of fans at a stadium

I am loved
My name is sung with rapture
I am a winner in the hearts of the eternal

Let those who boo have their fun
It will subside and cease
When the trophy is placed in my hands
The wreath crowned upon my head

The Love of God enables me
It guarantees my victory
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Mountains mentioned are from my own personal journeys, feel free to imagine/insert your own