Hi readers. Happy Friday to you. As stated in the last installment of the series, this is not the regular day in which we share new pieces. (In fact, we weren’t even faithful last month in posting two posts per month, as promised. We are sorry about that and will try harder.) While we will try to post two installments per month, we may decide to change things up, even more, as demonstrated in this post. We are not sure yet what we are going to do, but likely, when we do know, we’ll keep you informed.
This week, we are featuring a poem written by Victor Chukwu. We hope you enjoy the piece and will join in discussion below in the comments.
Shout or Shine
In shadows deep, our eyes did strain, A room so vast, in dark domain. No soul would rise, the light to greet, Inertia held, in slumber's seat. From distant lands, our journey long, We found ourselves in this wide throng. On mattresses we found our rest, In this grand space, we all were blessed. Yet still, no spark to pierce the night, No eager hand to set things right. Each soul remained on their reprieve, No will to stand, no urge to heave. With charged devices, some did roam, On screens, they sought a digital home. In cyberspace, they chose to dwell, As darkness cloaked each hidden spell. A few, with Bibles, sought their guide, In sacred texts, their hearts confide. While others turned their phones to beams, To light the way through midnight dreams. Then came a voice, a plea, a plea, "It's far too dark, we cannot see!" Another voice, a flicker, said, "We see enough to move ahead." Still, no one stirred, all still in rest, Their wearied hearts, their souls compressed. Yet suddenly, a blaze of light, Transformed the scene, banished the night. Who was this force that made things bright? What magic hand dispelled the night? No wizardry, no grand display, Just one brave soul, who found the way. With steady hand, they flipped the switch, And darkness fled, without a hitch. A lesson learned in that dark room, "Don't cry for light, just end the gloom." So, in our lives, when shadows loom, Remember well this darkened room. When faced with doubt, with endless night, Be the one to bring the light.
Thanks for being here and reading. Please join in a discussion about this piece right in the comments below. (We will not be posting a separate discussion post later.) In your comment, you may want to consider the following questions:
What aspect of Christ’s character did you find in this piece?
What aspect of the Christian life did you notice?
Can you relate this to present world and/or church events?
What thoughts or images came to mind when you read the poem?
In what way could you relate to it?
Did you think about other things you’ve come across in your experience in life, such as texts, art works, movies, music, or experiences or conversations you’ve had?
Did any scriptures come to mind?
How might this poem present an encouragement or challenge to you?
About Victor Chukwu
Victor Chukwu is the founder and lead pastor of Peace of God Ministry, centered on building youth and young adults for Christ. He started his walk with God at the age of seven and by the grace of God, he has been following God closely, amidst life's challenges, up to this day. He believes the best life you can live is at the center of God’s will and purpose. His passion is to see people saved by God’s grace and empowered for God’s use. He is also a gospel musician, a physician, and a biostatistician. He is married to Esther, and blessed with three children, Shalom, Shiloh & Salma.
Connect with Dr. Chukwu below:
Website: https://www.drvictorchukwu.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictorchukwu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victor.chukwu
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08864LKG4
If you’re not willing or able to pay for a subscription, but you enjoyed this post, you can always throw some change in the tip jar.
This poem has challenged me to wake up from my slumber of aimlessly spending time on my phone, or even aimlessly reading/listening to the Bible or Christian messages, and to really focus in on making and taking time to spend time in the presence of God and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is also convicting me to step up and shine the light that he has personally for me to shine - not waiting for others to do something, or "shouting" about how dark it is but not doing anything about it. A scripture that comes to mind is John 5:39-40, when Jesus said, "You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life."