The Pastor's Lament

I preached on the secret to contentment
disclosed to us by our God
through an apostle in affliction
and you weren't there

I preached on the key to a fruitful life
united to the Source of life
through abiding in Him
and you weren't there

I preached on sustained joy
amidst the ravages of a weary land
against the threat of losing heart
and you weren't there

I preached on making sense out of senselessness
through a wisdom the world does not know
harkening to a revealed Word given by God
and you weren't there

I opened the God-breathed corpus
ministering pearls of life-giving truth
that first invigorated my own soul
and you weren't there

I lifted up Jesus,
full of life - eternal, abundant, free
reaching from right now into eternity
and you weren't there

I spread the meal of God's Word as a feast
for the soul hungry and weak
struggling under the weight of harshness
and you weren't there

I exercised my promise, my call
eager to share the wonders of God's lips
certain of the Spirit's power at work
and you weren't there

I had inkling of your need, your struggle
as a pastor, a shepherd should
bringing the honey of God to brighten
and you weren't there

Yet I am reluctant to cast stones
for how often has Jesus spoken to me
directing my gaze, my steps
and I wasn't there