Soldiers and Sand

Entrenched soldiers, they lie
Between layers of the dead
Half their comrades below
The rest overhead
As another wave passes
They can feel the crashes
Of bombs on the death field
Their gruesome shield
The sun on the horizon their only hope and solace
Just a little longer

After a few warm days, a rainstorm leaves but a shallow layer of wet sand above several inches which are dry. Past that distance the wet sand again takes over, creating an interesting, almost oreo-like set of layers on the beach. You may see a soaked beach, but take a step in, and your feet bring dry sand back up with them. Strange. Another storm approaches in the distance, but even this will likely not be enough to complete the dousing.

The Madness

Ho! There it is again!
That slumb'ring giant
The courageous flight
That comforting night
The madness

It grips my soul a moment
The urge to flee
Not for fear
Nor from tears
To the road

Comes on without warning
And leaves as suddenly
The burden still lingers
The wheel in my fingers
Wanderlust

On track

So, I never like to admit it when I'm in a spiritual funk. That being said, I've been in one for a while. Talking to a friend recently, I finally admitted this out loud and asked for prayer about it. This weekend I got to visit my home church in Webberville, hear some things from the pastor I really needed, catch up with some old friends, and talk with them about all this as well. It was a long but very necessary weekend.

I have been exposed to a lot of spiritual influences since being in Idaho this fall, and not all of them healthy. The different philosophies and ideas about God I've had floating around my thoughts led to a spiritual darkness and laziness. "What is truth? Should I approach God this way or this way? How close to God are other religions? How close are any of us?" These are the sort of questions which I've been thinking about. They are important ones to wrestle with, no doubt, but I was being led to answers which were not spiritually beneficial for me. I was swaying with every new wind of doctrine. This morning God reminded me I can approach him with confidence through Christ. Though I am a man of unclean lips, I should not step back from God in guilt, but step forward in hope with each realisation of my unholiness to accept the burning coal and be purified.

Although I have had dark times in my life, God always brings me back and reminds me of His goodness. Thanks be to Him.

I would appreciate your prayers in this. Thank you.

Peace.