Steps of Faith in a Storm – Poem
I wrote the poem “Steps of Faith in a Storm” in a very difficult time, when people whom I trusted harassed and hurt me deeply. It’s my first attempt of translating a German poem into English.
Steps of Faith in a Storm
Spilling breaking waves waves waves waves waves
storm storm storm
fooooogThe boat sways on high sea
I stand uncertainly on my legs
powerless against the powers
powerlessI stare at the shape in the fog
and a gentle voice in me calls:
Come! Trust me!
Come!I inhale deeply
I want to dare the leap
and let go of the edge of the boat
I step on the water…I forgive my enemies
pray for those, who persecute me
and don’t take revengeI step on the water
and the water carries me
the water carries me
hopefully for a long time!?!And if not
I will try it tomorrow again.*
Spilling breaking waves waves waves waves waves
storm storm storm
fooooogThe boat sways on high sea
I stand uncertainly on my legs
powerless against the powers
powerlessI stare at the shape in the fog
and a gentle voice in me calls:
Come! Trust me!
Come!I inhale deeply
I want to dare the leap
and let go of the edge of the boat
I step on the water…I forgive my brothers and sisters who wrong me
I pray for those, who hurt me
and I don’t lash out at themI step on the water
and the water carries me
the water carries me
for a loooooong time!
*
I had painted the picture that meshes with the poem “Steps of Faith in the Storm” more than one year before that. Originally, for me it referred to the steps of faith that I take by trusting God and following his guidance.
I wrote the poem, when I discovered a new dimension of steps of faith – when I am unfairly treated and harassed, to not insist on my right, defend myself or strike back, but let go and trust that God is above it all and can turn things around for good.
That is what happened in the specific situation, during which I suffered a lot and felt helpless at the mercy of some higher powers. In the end, God turned the situation around and changed it into blessings.