Remember

A poem of lament

You forgot
      He called us to peace
You forgot
      He called us to rest
You forgot
      He called us not to fear
      He called us not to fight
           with swords and guns
      He called us to fight
           with
                   love
                   time
                   patience
          with 
                  food
                  warmth
                  a touch
                  a tear
                  an embrace
You forgot
       He didn't call you to 
            fight a government
                      or a system
                      or a country
                      or a culture
            but the spiritual forces behind it all
 You forgot
       They cannot be defeated
               by your sword
                    your fear
                    your anger
               it only helps their battle
               it only corrodes your heart
You forgot
      He will bring the sword
                               the judgement
                               the anger
      He will wield it against
            the true enemy
You forgot
        That we are not him
                  We are called to follow after the gentle heart
                                           to fight with his love
                                           and leave his wrath to him

You forgot because it is easier
        to be angry with 
                                    a president
                                    a pastor
                                    kids on the internet
                                or a scholar
       to fear
                  what you can't control
                  what makes you uncomfortable
                  what is difficult to watch

You forgot that Jesus called you to 
      a different life
      a life you might call
                                        passive
                                        irresponsible
                                        naive
                                        weak
                                        lazy
     a life that tells the world
                                                that you are not your own
                                                that you are to be content in all circumstances
                                                that you live in a foolishness of knowing
                                                        this world is not your home
                                                        you are always protected
                                                        truth will always stand
                                                        Jesus will always win
And you forgot
         that when Jesus comes with a sword
         he will come to make right all things
         he will bring you home
In spite of all you remember
     the wars
     the religions
     the syncretisms
     the heresy
     the sex
     the abuse
     the corruption of power
     the politics
 and in spite of you

Since the beginning of time
        God's people have forgotten
Before God shaped you
Before Sin corrupted you
Before Jesus redeemed you
             He knew
             You would fit right in
             With his people
             As one who forgets

So hear the call to remember
Read scripture anew
          as your lifeblood
               not your weapon
          as your defense
               not your offense
Pray anew
         as one desperate for love
         as one desperate for grace
         as one desperate for faith 
Pray as
         your sister Mary
         your brother Paul
         and all of those who remembered
Let him flood you with remembrance
Else, you will not have peace
          we will not have peace