Campfire Meditation

Born with the God-spark,

woven in the womb-dark.

Children of humanity,

corrupted with vanity.

Trading Kingdom capacity

for intellectual fallacy.

Sin jades emotions,

twisting intentions.

Hearts become waxy,

toward the God of the galaxies,

Whose eyes fill with tears;

there is no one who hears,

No one who sees,

or falls to their knees,

Or responds to the God-spark

that burns out in the sin-dark.

And then the rain...

began to fall.

Devotional Meditation:

Sitting around a campfire, watching flames quiver, releasing sparks that float upwards to mingle with the stars, can put us in a mood for deeper reflection. This poem alludes to the exquisite way God made us, placing sparks of creativity, goodness, and love in each person - a reflection of himself. It also exposes the corruptive effect of sin and how it erodes innocence, distorts minds, and toughens hearts. This poem's tone is sad because it’s about a God who can feel broken-hearted when people reject him. 

The Old Testament tells the story of the unfaithfulness of Israel towards a faithful God. There are many instances where the prophets describe God’s emotions as regretful, troubled, and even angry when the people he created turned their backs on him. Only a Being who feels the emotions that cause weeping could tenderly collect our tears in a bottle, as David wrote in verse 8 of Psalm 56. Only a Being who experiences lament could be the Divine Comforter. God is compassionate and empathetic towards us. He longs to gather us to himself as a mother hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings.

In our culture, where it is popular to be pumped up, it is vital to sit quietly and reflect upon the sadness of God. Empathy for God quickens our love towards him. Empathy is like a flame, softening our waxy hearts to receive God's influential grace. When we meditate on God in this way, we open ourselves to knowing him.

The better we understand his heart, the less we will want to break it.

Introspection:

What do you realize about God when you think of him being saddened by our choices?

How does this awaken your love for him?

How do you want to respond?

by Heather J. Willis, author