Scripture: Psalm 57

“This psalm invites us to take refuge in God, to ‘take refuge in the shadow of [God’s] wings until the disaster has passed’ (v. 1). After asking God for help and describing the dire situation, the psalmist is encouraged and ends the prayer by exalting God (vv. 7–11).” –Steve Mann, Fruit of the Vine

Query: Do you feel trapped?

Praise ambiguity

—two separate paths

and no road signs

—scales that tip

first one way then the other

—the enticement of not knowing

—the scent on the wind

that beckons me enter the forest

Praise silence

—the space between the words

—the secret behind the sound

—the barely perceptible still-small-voice

Praise indirection

—the path that winds

through whispering groves

—brush that obscures

whatever lies ahead

—the gloriously dizzying circles

—distractions, interruptions and surprises

everywhere

–Nancy Thomas, from “The Poet’s Gifts” in Close to the Ground