In one of the Bible studies this weekend, we were pondering the passage from John 6 where the disciples are in a boat, the storm rises, and Jesus is nowhere to be found. We were encouraged to get into groups according to how we process life artistically–through writing, art, fabric art, drama, etc. I was asked to facilitate the writing group.
The question I was tasked to write about was: When you think of fear or terror on your journey, how might you express it artistically?
Here’s what I came up with:
The wind is blowing, it’s getting dark
I can’t see the shore, I’ve lost my mark.
The waves are rising, it’s getting rough.
I don’t think I can keep holding onto this stuff.
The boat is rocking, the air is thick,
If this doesn’t calm down, I’m getting sick.
The storm is around, above, and within
It doesn’t feel safe, this space that I’m in.
I’m not sure where I’m going, my compass is down,
It feels like any minute I’m going to drown.
I can’t do this anymore, I’m just giving up.
Can’t you take from me this cup?
Where are you? WHERE ARE YOU? How dare you be quiet?
It feels like the end of the world as I know it.
What happened to you being always with me?
What happened to the signs of God I can see?
I hear stories of miracles, wonders and signs—
Of clouds in the days, and fire in the nights.
But what I see now is nothing like that.
What I feel now is like an attack.
What I feel now is terror and fear…
It feels like you are just not here.
I can’t hold on, I have to let go…
And fall into darkness, that’s all I know.