A Poem by Don and Jacque
inspired by John Piper, Desiring God, and C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
His joy is fake,
empty and lack
when for sin's sake
he turns his back.
In mud, the boy
says he’s complete.
He plays with joy,
thinks nothing competes.
Then Jesus came,
said, “Come to me”
leave your games,
for a holiday at sea.1
The boy then stands
so mighty, so tall
declares, demands,
“I will not go at all.”
“Surely,” he clarifies,
I have everything here,
nothing that terrifies
has yet to come near.
His joy is fake
empty and lack
for sin's sake
he turned his back.
Lord, tangled in your arms
caught in your grace,
free from those charms,
I now see your face.
God, what great love
you have given to me,
full from above,
now, I know the sea.
O, poor, misled boy
for, Lord, it's so true
the fullness of joy,
I’ve found it in you.
