For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

  - Ephesians 2.10

Fele - poetry or a poet; Fili - a poet

  - Cormac,Glossary, Irish, 9th century

I read an interesting article last week in The New Yorker, which explained that the energy, viciousness, and success of ISIS are being sustained by the work of poets.

Yes. I said poets.

Poetry, it seems, has the ability, not only to engage the mind with vision and conviction, but to stir the affections for courage, sacrifice, and sustained effort. Certainly God understands the power of poetry, because significant parts of His revelation are delivered in verse.

What does God know – and ISIS – that we don’t about the power of poetry?

It would be difficult to overstate the importance of poets and poetry in Irish history. Before Christianity came to Ireland, the druids were poets and philosophers whose ability to tell a good story in a memorable way enabled them to serve as counselors to kings, shapers of culture, and instructors to babes.

As the Celtic Revival (ca. AD 430-800) unfolded, Christians took over the work of poetry-making from the druids and crafted some of the most beautiful verses in the whole of the Christian poetic heritage.

Cormac – who, you will recall, was compiling a glossary of Irish words that were falling out of use in his day, but which he thought should be preserved – apparently appreciated the value of poetry for the life of faith. He was concerned to see “poetry” and “poet” disappearing from common usage.

We don’t have much taste for poetry today, but it’s not our fault, as Czeslaw Milosz argued in The Witness of Poetry. It’s the fault of idiotic (self-referential) poets who have nothing to say that anyone cares to read, and who say it badly anyway.

Paul says we’re all “poems” (the Greek for “workmanship” is poema), which makes God the Supreme Poet and us His offspring-poets, since we are made in His image. We’re all poets, and the “verse” we are helping to craft, every day, takes the form of good works of righteousness, peace, and joy toward God and our neighbors.

We may not all write poetry, but we’re all composing it by our lives. Is your poetry God-centric?

Or merely idiotic?

God is writing the poem which is your life. Are you writing with Him? Take up your “pen” – the words and deeds of a heart overflowing with love – and, “writing” with the ink of God’s Word and Spirit, compose the poem of your life with all the loveliness and lyricality of carefully-crafted verse.

And, while you’re at it, read the poetry of Scripture, and of the Christian tradition, and let these shape your own “poem” to the world.

Psalm 45.1, 2 (Manoah: “When All Your Mercies, O My God”)
O my heart, let now a pleasing theme overflow to praise the Lord!
My song I pledge to You, my King, and dedicate my words.

You of all men are the fairest, Lord, and Your lips are flush with grace;
Thus God has blessed You ever more before His holy face.

Me? A poet? Thank You, Lord, for the privilege of writing Your grace and truth on the lives of others.

Fairest Lord Jesus: Have a look for yourself!
One of the great poetic hymns of the Christian tradition is “Fairest Lord Jesus.” It’s based on Psalm 45, which is meditation on Christ exalted in glory, a love song of heavenly vision, breathtaking beauty, and enormous practical benefit. We’ve prepared a series of 28 devotions on these two poems, and they’re free for the asking. Just let me know that you’d like to receive a copy of Glorious Vision: 28 Days in the Throne Room of the Lord,” and I’ll send it along prontissimo. And if you find this or other aspects of the ministry of The Fellowship of Ailbe helpful in your walk with and work for the Lord, we will appreciate hearing from you and receiving your support. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the donate button here or at the website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Psalms to Pray for Today and Tuesday
Today
Morning: Psalm 119.89-96; Psalm 64
Evening: Psalm 140

Tuesday
Morning: Psalm 119.97-104; Psalm 65
Evening: Psalm 141

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.