George Herbert

It's been a while since I have posted, and the reason is, I have been pretty busy, I am about to graduate from college! So I have been working hard to finish everything up in this phase of my life. I have been wrestling with a lot of things, some very personal and practical, some more distant and and theoretical or theological in nature. Such is the life of someone studying theology and ministry, all kinds of things run through your mind in a wide range of subject matter.

Eventually I will probably post something on some of those things, but honestly I am not mentally ready to do that just yet. Honestly all I am thinking about this particular moment is going home to Cincinnati tomorrow to see my family. I have missed them a lot, of especially my niece and nephew Alyssa and Tyler, they bring me so much joy, but it is hard for them to do that over the phone. But now on to the real meat of this post.

Something else I have been doing is reading George Herbert poetry. I have mentioned him before, but he bears repeating because I have been quite taken with his skill as a poet and his incredibly astute observations of the devotional life of the Christian. His poems are so moving, and very, as I said, devotional. They were in fact just his personal thoughts and feelings as he journeyed through the Christian life and experience.

So many of his poems have impacted me so far, and I haven't gotten to read them all, nor have I gotten to really dig into most of them. Some of my favorites, so that you can look them up and enjoy, are: The Altar, Sepulchre, Love (III), and the one I am going to post here for you to read, Redemption. Now Redemption is not really my favorite, but I think that is great for sure, and the reason I wanted to post that one is because I think it is very unique and intriguing. In this poem he refers to himself as a tenant of an apartment to a rich Lord, obviously, God. I won't say anything else about it, rather I will just post it here for you to read and savor the goodness of it.

Redemption

Having been tenant long to a rich Lord,

Not thriving, I resolvèd to be bold,

And make a suit unto him to afford

A new small-rented lease and cancel th'old.

In Heaven at his manor I him sought.

They told me there that he was lately gone

About some land which he had dearly bought

Long since on earth, to take possession,

I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,

Sought him accordingly in great resorts,

In cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts.

At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth

Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied,

Who straight "Your suit is granted," said, and died.