Maranatha

by Jessica Hillstrom

 

Some days I want to cry Maranatha

not to summon a second coming

but to summon your presence to the middle of our pain

And if I muster a faint Where are you, God?

please know that I don’t lack the knowledge—
I simply lack the faith

Like Job I’ve cried for answers

to questions large
beyond what I comprehend

to heartache, to suffering, to violence,

hatred and hunger ravaging lands

Yet one question still lingers unspoken

whispered in silent have mercies on me:

Dear Lord, will you offer atonement for abundance

in a world where poverty reigns?
The silence is heavy some days.

So we wait

and we pray
and we find the faith to believe

you will come again, Lord Jesus, you will come

in your glory, in your power,

in a gentle whisper that calls us to believe

So come heal the broken,

come dance with the lame,
come in your fullness, your joy, once again

Yes, Incarnate, you've come and are coming

your presence is strong in our pain

You walk with the weary

you weep with the sad
you wrench free our shackles, our chains

So come in your mercy

come, dance in your grace
come in your love and sweet joy once again

Come again, Lord Jesus, come again

                          

                       Copyright © 2013 by Jessica Hillstrom