Expressing God’s Love Through Poetry

Poetry is a form of art that can express our deepest longings and fears. I began exploring poetry this year when a friend suggested we get together for a poetry night. At times, we would use themes to write. Other times, we would use random words, and each of us would create an original poem. Outside of these nights, I looked to the scripture for inspiration. Like the psalmist, I began to explore my own emotions of anger, despair, and longing. I saw how David embraced them and didn’t shy away from these emotions.

Psalm 42, to me, is a great demonstration of how despair and loneliness can overtake us. David asks himself, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted in me? Unable to answer the question, he turns to God. “O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar. Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterfalls.” He remembers that God is his loving father. Even in his despair, the Lord is with him. Furthermore, the conversation David is having with himself reflects his inner turmoil. On the one hand, he knows that God is his loving father. However, he can’t deny that he feels alone and forgotten by God. Despite this inner struggle, he ends with hope, knowing that God is his helper and is always near to him, even in his despair.

Whilst psalms give us angst and despair, the Song of Solomon demonstrates romantic love and longing. The writer does not hold back on how he feels about his beloved. In return, the woman does not disappoint in reciprocating her love for him. The Shulamite proclaims, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods. So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.” The words of the lovers to one another fill the senses with sight, sound, and taste. The reader can see their delight inone another.

Can you relate to David? Have you had times when you’ve felt alone and forgotten by God? In turning to my inner conflict, I saw that, at times, I have tried to hide my feelings from God. As I studied the Scriptures, I saw that pouring my heart to him is a loving form of communication with the Father. My poetry became an outlet for crying out to God and also demonstrating my love for Him. One thing led to another, and I was at an open mic night. I then realized that my private sessions with Jesus had become a way of communicating the gospel to others.

The following poems were inspired by scripture and were a way for me to express how I was feeling at the time. I hope that through my poetry I’ll be able to communicate God’s love and connect to others.

She Was Never the Same

She ran
Leaving her water pitcher
Can it be true?
It was really Him.
Yes it was.
He saw me.
He knew me.
Every thought, every action, every hidden sin.
Laid open and bare to the one who always knew.
Me, so scared.
She ran, heart quickening.
They had to know.
He was true.
It is Him.
The love she always wanted.
The love she’d never known.
Always to be hers.
Go, call your husband.
Piercing words from the One who knew.
She’d never be the same.

Lord You Are Making All Things New

When he left I thought my heart would leave with him.
My world shattered
Darkness surrounded me.
I began falling, falling, falling
Into the abyss.
I thought death would overtake me.
But then He came.
Knocking on the door of my heart.
Saying my daughter, my love, I loved you since time began
Before any man could dare say they love you.
My heart for you goes beyond the depth of the oceans
Outside of time you were mine.
Before a lover could ever steal your heart
I desired your heart.
But only if you freely gave it.
So I waited and waited for you to come.
To step out into the unknown into my loving arms.
You ran and ran and became so tired. I was with you at every step.
Beckoning to you at every turn.
Hoping you’d stop running as I chased you.
Until finally you could stand it no more and fell into my loving arms.
Willingly you came.
Defeated and broken.
But I rejoiced knowing that I could bind up those wounds.
And heal your broken heart.
Draw closer to me and I to you.
Because my love for you is deep.
Deeper than any man can give you.
There is no end to my love for you.
You are beautifully and wonderfully made.
So come and rest.
Trust me I know best.