(This is a poem inspired by NT scholar F.F. Bruce’s description of the first Church in Jerusalem in the book of Acts. He dubbed them “the Spirit-possessed society.”)
I see a society, peppering the globe,
Through the lens of faith I’m permitted to probe,
Who are these ones, these fearless, ‘nothing-phobes’?
They rejoice like Paul, clinging like Job,
I see a society.
I see a society, tucked in each nation,
Fulfilled in them is the groan of creation,
They face lies with courage, with proclamations brazen,
Yet their dispositions are tender and patient,
I see a society.
I see a society, hungry & thirsty,
Looking for fresh bread & wine unearthly,
Plumbing the depths of the Scriptures with yearning,
Growing as trees with bottomless roots, sturdy,
I see a society.
I see a society, marked with reality,
Dissatisfied with programs and analogies,
Sick to the teeth of Hollywood’s melodies,
Plowing through cheap theology and hollow fallacies,
I see a society.
I see a society unowned by toys,
Refusing to live as little distracted boys,
Waiting in worship with priestly poise,
Hearing His voice, enwrapped in His joys,
I see a society.
I see a society, unwilling to engage,
In spiritual fads, whatever the craze,
They prefer the closet of prayer to the stage,
Preparing the way for the end of this age,
I see a society.
I see a society made up of meek souls,
Serving their neighbors with towels & bowls,
Perished ambitions to meet heavenly goals,
Israel & the nations transformed, made whole,
I see a society.
I see a society of pilgrims progressing,
Not to new ideas with emergent themes pressing,
But moving with fidelity through trial & testing,
To walk the ancient paths of true priestly blessing,
I see a society.
I see a society, turning from lust,
Turning from immorality with fervent disgust,
Turning from anxiety to radical trust,
Turning from stagnancy, lethargy, rust,
I see a society.
I see a society with Danielic hearts,
Living in Babylon, shielded from darts,
Faithful in prayer, building ramparts,
Holy fire burning in the inner-most parts,
I see a society.
I see a society lit with God’s light,
Fit to endure tribulation and plight,
Equipped to extend mercy in the darkest night,
Walking in weakness, seeing His might,
I see a society.
I see a society refined of its dross,
No longer jerked, pulled, pushed, moved, or tossed,
‘Round by the winds of the world, they’re embossed,
Branded and burdened to preach only the cross,
I see a society.
I see a society of sons and daughters,
Raising the dead, walking on waters,
Content just to be on the wheel of the Potter,
Not aching for platforms or titles, unbothered,
I see a society.
I see a society profoundly Christ-centered,
They’ve springs in the desert, flames in the winter,
Merciful souls, vessels of balm, menders,
Exemplifying another wisdom, fiercely tender,
I see a society.
I see a society, I see the Son,
His image shines forth, leaves dark powers stunned,
Their schemes undone, His glory has come,
Alongside the King, with horses we run.
I see a society.
I see a “Spirit-possessed society.”
The hour is late, saints. Shall we come into the reality He has called us to? The hour is late, indeed. Let us respond to Him without reservation.
Amen.
© Bryan Purtle for Voice of Revolution, 2009. | Permalink