The Only Star For Me

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19)


And where, my dearest, where might your star be?
We spend our days afloat and rudderless -
have no true sense of north, nor light to see.

The intellect engages to assess
prophetic writings there within God’s
word, which does not penetrate, we must confess.

More often though, we find ourselves at odds,
fully convinced the path we choose is right;
confirmed within our minds, we need no rods

to goad us from the darkness toward the light.
Which star up in the sky commands your eyes?
You must look up to keep it in your sight!

Will you place trust in that which rusts or dies?
Do you prefer the company of fools?
Well spent, would seem, a consult with the wise.

To live a life like this is but a trap;
pay not the pharisee for his advice.
Attention to the shoulds and oughts can sap
as much as draining blood from turnips twice.

To what or whom might our attention turn?
A star of greatest worth, of course - a
lamp thus filled and trimmed, prepared to burn,
shining a small reflection of its source.

In truth, all scripture points us to this star -
a light come to a world in greatest need.
Dark is man, and darker still, his heart:
place the Morning Star would have set free. 

Until the light breaks forth, in trespass lost,
the true depth of his need not understood,
day after day, he fails to count the cost,
dawns not on his small thoughts, or even could.

And then, in but an instant, he is changed:
the monergistic workings of our God.
Morning brings mercies new, no more estranged;
star bright and lifted high, his visage awed,

rises bright, majestic in his power.
In a day stretched toward eternity,
your blood, once shed, illuminates our
hearts; El Elyon, the only star for me.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Daniel Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 10:14 PM
A brilliant piece, Jeff, very creative, congratulations:)
Ray Choudhury Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 1:31 PM
Congratulations on your win, Dear Jeff, an excellent poem with a brilliant structure and deeply spiritual message.
Kyser Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 3:16 PM
Thanks so much for your read and your gracious comments!
Flood Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 11:48 AM
Love this, Jeff, but particularly ‘draining blood from turnips twice’. Strange thing…I’m sat half watching ‘Master And Commander’ and as I read the words ‘afloat and rudderless’ the ship on screen was afloat and rudderless… SPOOKY! Congrats on your win, Jeff. Terry
Kyser Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Thanks so much, Terry - I need to get some time on the soup reading - we've had much afoot around here!
Rodrigues Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 9:35 AM
Excellent write, Jeff! Love the rhyming triplets and the acrostic on the side. Your message of light in a dark world. I have meditated on Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This shadow created by a powerful light! God bless and congratulations!
Kyser Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Thanks, and God bless you as well, Kim!
Edmonds  Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 8:44 AM
Fantastic creative poetry Jeff, congratulations on your well deserved win in the contest… Belle
Leiser Avatar
November 5, 2022 at 3:18 PM
Wow, Jeff! What a wonderful masterpiece of a poem! This is not only outrageously creative, but the message and poetic presentation is excellent!! One of the best poems I’ve read in awhile…a fave! Hope this places high in the contest, too! God bless! :)
Kyser Avatar
November 5, 2022 at 3:22 PM
Thanks so much for your read and encouragement, Laura.
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