Should I pay the entry fee to
Enter the writing contest?
Was I foolish to even try?
I prayed.
I seemed to get the go-ahead, so
I hesitantly sent in the poem.
It appears that Paul was
Puzzled at times too.
Imagine that!
The powerful, confident in Jesus, Paul.
He tried to preach in Bithynia, but God
Stopped him.
He had a different plan.
In Paul's litany of trials, inserted among the
Hardships is this one:
"Perplexed, but not in despair."*
The faith giant was uncertain, but it
Didn't stop him from pressing on.
Quite often I'm unsure too.
The nudge I feel; is it from God or me,
Or from some other unknown source?
I usually act on it, because even
When my decision seems to turn out
Wrong, I know God will turn it into
Something good.
(My entry didn't win.
My money was "wasted."
A friend tried to console me,
"Perhaps someone judging the
Contest needed to read your poem."
Or perhaps I simply need to
Learn the grace of being perplexed
Without giving in to despair.)
*II Corinthians 4:8