(A Poem by Kim Thoday)
While most within the harbour groan,
gripped by the fever of ocean blue deep
you set sail with One who comes unknown
beyond the gulfs of the throngs that sleep
Tips of waves lit by an eternal light
how you have given yourself to love,
others cling to their anchors with fright
into the storm you escape like a dove
You set out long ago at the spirit’s call
sails trimmed sun falling behind earth’s rim
journey of courage confronts human fall
throwing off shackles of self-interest and whim
Charting your course by an ancient clear star
inspired and moved by an adventure of old
service and sacrifice two thousand years far
your life has now added to those songlines bold
You know the horizons over morning mist
on the shoulders of giants you gaze
true treasure in rusty wrecks you’ve kissed
jewels of grace, wisdom and praise
You’ve dropped anchor at ports unloved
inviting aboard the stranger and the refugee
singing, laughing, crying, one in blood
oh the privilege to be part of your journey
Dear friend you sail wide and true
quick to encourage slow to be cold
forgiveness first prize in the cache of virtue
love that captivates more than can gold
Voyages of mystery continue to steal
so many lives now changed and free
close to your piloting on the ship’s wheel
are the firm hands of the One from Galilee
So our friend we raise a glass of gratitude
Drink deep and drink long the ocean tide
continue to battle against the oppressor’s feud,
sailing out of the harbour to the other side
* A poem dedicated to my friend, Mike Esbensen, a colleague and mentor, minister of the Gospel and radical disciple. Thanks for sharing the journey mate. Grace and Peace
KIM THODAY, HEWETT COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CHRIST, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Related Articles:
- “You Raise Me Up” (Do they sing this at your church?)
- Great God your love has called us here (Brian Wren)
- Amazing Grace by Wintley Phipps
- An Australian Hymn To The Tune Of Waltzing Matilda
- By the Babe Unborn
This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Australia License.
Discussion
No comments for “Out Of The Harbour”