Challenging Works

Without Debt
"lest at any time they should be converted, 
and their sins should be forgiven them." -- Mark 4:12

Jean always wanted to go to university.  
    Walk the steps into the library.  Stroll 
to the gazebo, dropped like a chocolate chip 
    into a bed of fragrance and shrubs.  Rest 
under the carillon until the top of the hour 
    when the digital chimes would sing.  Practice 
stealth inside the buildings, especially 
    the cafeteria.  Attend sporting events 
and special gatherings.  Exude pride 
    at the end of four years 
for never having actually enrolled.

–Todd Sukany 28 Jul 2022

Okay, this scripture has always been challenging. Eyes open, hears open, but you are not allowed to get it.  Disciples get it when Jesus wants them to.  So others like me, get it when Jesus wants us to get it. It is not dependent on the person's openness.  It may be the timing... so they get stories, like they are children.  Nudged along.  I wonder  how many times I hear only the stories ... and I teach children, hoping they'll get more than the story. Nudging them along until God opens their eyes, ears.  

The poem:  I like the format, starting with powerful verbs, present tense (did you miss that on "drop like a chocolate chip...?")  Easy to stay with you. Jean's story (every man's story), but he/she never enrolled!  Never graded, never in debt, never had to participate, never had consequences?  Interesting.  There in body for the good times...maybe for the look of being a sharp student, but not there in spirit. Not connecting with Jesus or depending on Him to get you through the hard times. Then happy and prideful at the end that he/she never enrolled, never bought in, never sold out, never really lived out the college experience (spiritual experience?) .

Surprised me at the end. 

What am I missing here?
Pat

Pat

I am refreshed by your analysis of my works.  I need to remember to send you works when I get discouraged.    Bless you and thank you.

This epigraph is from the parable of the sower/seed.  I know that popular church-ME-anity would have all people "saved."  Here, Jesus says something more challenging (to me anyway).  3/4 of the "receivers" of the Word never bring fruit.  If the apple tree never produces apples, is it really an apple tree?

The poem is to be a metaphor for those who have been "forgiven" but never met Jesus (echos of sheep and goats).

Pat, I think you tracked very much as I had hoped the reader would.

Todd

Send your work any time. 
 
Pat