This is How You Prosper (A poem)

A poem based on Psalm 122.

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A little pre-poetry note: I originally wrote this piece for

K.J. Ramsey

as part of a collection of poems she gathered and published from other authors based on the Psalms of Ascent. I don’t write poetry much—and I certainly don’t share it often (!)—but I hope you enjoy this one. It was challenging to write and even more challenging to live because of it’s simple but confronting message: Be loved. (Let me know if poetry is your jam and you’d like to read more?)

My local where I swim in the mornings. 7:42am Aug 19, 2023.

Psalm 122 A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up—the tribes of the Lord—to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. 5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” 8 For the sake of my family and friends,  I will say, “Peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

This is How You Prosper

Based on Psalm 122

When the gates appear closed, may we still go.

When the walls squeeze in, may we not forget to breathe.

When the floor disappears, may we not fail to know

He stays. Remains. 

In the crowd, the congregation, the gathering. In the back row, in the foyer, in the cell, in isolation.

In the cup, in the offering, in the glimpse of revelation.

In the rash declaration, the brave whispered prayer—only half believed, a full burden to bear.

He stays. Remains.

When we find ourselves alone, afraid, weary, unsure—may we find the grace to pray, “Lord, let us prosper.”

And when we do, may we be still enough to hear God answer:

“This is how you prosper: Be loved.”

Peace may not surround you, but let it abound within you.

You are. I am.

Love.

May you know peace deeper than the absence of adversity, but whole: sustaining, transforming, reforming, body-mind-soul.

Shalom.

Peace, peace, peace for those willing to be loved.

Peace for those still waiting to be found. For those who’ve lost their way. For those without words left to pray.

Peace for those disoriented in the mystery, the ones who long to see, the day made new—free from the tomb, the womb, the dark where life is formed ready to break forth after the labor pains signal it will come. It is coming.

It will. 

It will come.

And this is how you prosper: Be loved.

This is how you are to go: Be loved.

This is how you find your peace: Be loved.

This is how you pray: Be loved.

He stays. Remains.

When the floor disappears, may we never fail to know.

When the walls squeeze in, may we not forget to breath.

When the gates appear closed, may we still go.

You are. I am.

The house of the Lord still stands. Shalom.

This is how you prosper:

(selah)

Be loved.

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