Many people, including Christians, often wonder why anyone would invest their lives in areas of brokenness; whether communities, people, environments, families, etc. It seems that our obsession with Western culture's view of going with the winner or the strong guides even our places of ministry. Therefore, our time and efforts are geared toward putting our best face forward and creating an image that we have it together. Unfortunately, the result of such behavior is that we find ourselves shunning that which is weak, and ultimately human. However, the greatest tragedy is that we hijack the power of the gospel in our lives. For the Gospel is the story of an all-powerful and holy God entering into a broken world and giving all His strength away so that He might restore us through His resurrection power. In essence, it is through embracing brokenness that new life is made possible for humanity and the cosmos!
Weldenll Berry's poem, The Slip, beautifully demonstrates this counter-cultural nature of the gospel, which compels many, including this pastor, to enter into the brokenness of the inner city; to enter into my own brokenness by serving with the broken communities of New Haven. I hope you enjoy Berry's Poem!
The river takes the land, and leaves nothing.
Where the great slip gave way in the bank
and an acre disappeared, all human plans
dissolve. An awful clarification occurs
where a place was. Its memory breaks
from what is known now, begins to drift.
Where cattle grazed and trees stood, emptiness
widens the air for birdflight, wind, and rain.
As before the beginning, nothing is there.
Human wrong is in the cause, human
ruin in the effect–but no matter;
all will be lost, no matter the reason.
Nothing, having arrived, will stay.
The earth, even, is like a flower, so soon
passeth it away. And yet this nothing
is the seed of all–the clear eye
of Heaven, where all the worlds appear.
Where the imperfect has departed, the perfect
begins its struggle to return. The good gift
begins again its descent. The maker moves
in the unmade, stirring the water until
it clouds, dark beneath the surface,
stirring and darkening the soul until pain
perceives new possibility. There is nothing
to do but learn and wait, return to work
on what remains. Seed will sprout in the scar.
Though death is in the healing, it will heal.
Weldenll Berry's poem, The Slip, beautifully demonstrates this counter-cultural nature of the gospel, which compels many, including this pastor, to enter into the brokenness of the inner city; to enter into my own brokenness by serving with the broken communities of New Haven. I hope you enjoy Berry's Poem!
The river takes the land, and leaves nothing.
Where the great slip gave way in the bank
and an acre disappeared, all human plans
dissolve. An awful clarification occurs
where a place was. Its memory breaks
from what is known now, begins to drift.
Where cattle grazed and trees stood, emptiness
widens the air for birdflight, wind, and rain.
As before the beginning, nothing is there.
Human wrong is in the cause, human
ruin in the effect–but no matter;
all will be lost, no matter the reason.
Nothing, having arrived, will stay.
The earth, even, is like a flower, so soon
passeth it away. And yet this nothing
is the seed of all–the clear eye
of Heaven, where all the worlds appear.
Where the imperfect has departed, the perfect
begins its struggle to return. The good gift
begins again its descent. The maker moves
in the unmade, stirring the water until
it clouds, dark beneath the surface,
stirring and darkening the soul until pain
perceives new possibility. There is nothing
to do but learn and wait, return to work
on what remains. Seed will sprout in the scar.
Though death is in the healing, it will heal.