Too Narrow

 

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

  -Jesus (Matt 7:14, NIV)

It is there, but not attractive

Weeds covering the entrance

No neon signs

That road is bumpy

Not safe for the Tesla

I would have to walk

This way does not seem viable

Not efficient

I have a meeting

What am I going to tell them?

“I missed my flight 

I had to walk the road that leads to life

It wouldn’t accommodate my car

Or my luggage

And it went the opposite way”

They look at me blankly

Thinking how long will it take

To find this guy’s replacement?

They ask if I need a new cell phone

My GPS must be broken

It’s not just them

I also doubt my sanity

Crazy people wander 

The sane stay on the road

Check the boxes

Stay in the game

A little Starbucks

To focus

Essentialism

Good to Great

Can’t survive

Without clothes and a place to live

A functional garbage disposal

Helpful credit ratings

These are the ingredients of life

Wandering off the grid 

Is for later

On purpose

With a nice sailboat 

And a time share

The benefits of retirement

When I get there

For now: plug in, turn on

Access what does have neon signs

The fastest car, woman, AI

Prizes on the way

Bumpy narrow roads are not worth it

I need a superhighway

Blessings בְּרָכָה

Background:

The Arabic word بركة (barakah) has several meanings and carries significant theological and cultural meaning in Islam. In Judaism, the Hebrew word בְּרָכָה (barakah) also has deep meaning, including as a name for daily prayers or “blessings.” Both peoples consider "barakah" as deeper and more multifaceted than the English word “blessing.” 

 

When I was looking at Ephesians 1:3-14, a kind of song or poem that starts with the theme of God’s blessings, I found that Paul uses the word εὐλογητός (eulogetos) as the Greek equivalent of barakah that is found in the Hebrew scriptures. So when I wrote this poem based on the Ephesians passage, it seemed using this word with so much depth and meaning was appropriate:

 

Barakah

By Paul Bunge

Blessed be is “barakah”

In temple, synagogue, and scroll

Praise God the source of barakah

He’s the blessings honor roll 

 

God fathered Jesus Christ

Who is our Lord and President

He barakahs us at God’s side

Though he knows our lesser tent

 

Barakah started long ago

Pre-paleozoic age

The God of law and perfection

Took us at our awkward stage

 

Before the time of time began

This God of perfect want and will

Of nature planets cosmos rolling

Used barakah to make them still  

 

Insight of God is fact and wise

All inside of us he knows 

Our plans and dreams of selfish gain

One cut, it’s gone, as red blood flows

 

But barakah and baby’s breath

Eternity found in a stable

Put that red blood in sacred bag

To nurture one who would be able

 

The marrow barakah’d his cheeks

His voice gave life and clarified

In others loss of blood you’re gone

When his flowed out, our sins died

 

Barakah to us is free

Lavished all he has stored up

He planned it though it’s mystery

All punishment he drank that cup

 

But wait, there’s more it’s hope he has

We without a bank account

Have all things promised to deliver

Have his will, last testament 

 

The promissory can’t be lost

Barakah between our cells

Holy Spirit gospel faith

In moving body deepest wells

 

All this promise hope and truth

Now who we are, his final story

He will be back our only vision

In meantime barakah and glory