The Thing That Lasts
December 1, 2024
This week, we observe the advent of hope.
Below, you’ll find one scripture, one poem, and a blessing. I don’t offer much commentary but invite you to ponder them each throughout your week.
The Scripture comes from Isaiah, specifically it comes from the start of the second section of Isaiah. It is believed this section is written by a prophet following the style of the original Isaiah but at a different time period. This Isaiah passage is written during the Babylonian Exile, and this prophet gives messages of comfort and hope to the People of God.
The poem is written in response to Emily Dickinson’s poem, ‘Hope is the thing with feathers.’
I hope the pairing creates some stirring of hope or thought within you as you begin this advent season.
Isaiah 40:27-31 – Have Hope, for God Lasts.
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.
Hope is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat
By Caitlin Seida
Hope is not the thing with feathers
That comes home to roost
When you need it most.
Hope is an ugly thing
With teeth and claws and
Patchy fur that’s seen some shit.
It’s what thrives in the discards
And survives in the ugliest parts of our world,
Able to find a way to go on
When nothing else can even find a way in.
It’s the gritty, nasty little carrier of such
diseases as
optimism, persistence,
Perseverance and joy,
Transmissible as it drags its tail across
your path
and
bites you in the ass.
Hope is not some delicate, beautiful bird,
Emily.
It’s a lowly little sewer rat
That snorts pesticides like they were
Lines of coke and still
Shows up on time to work the next day
Looking no worse for wear.
A Blessing for Your Advent of Hope
Child of God,
When the world brings hopelessness,
May the God of Hope help you persevere
When you feel unable to carry on,
May God give you joy, optimism, persistence
And when life bites you in the ass,
May hope bite you in the ass,
and help you to claw your way forward
Amen.
Rev. Kelsey Sherazi 