James 1:14-15 New English Translation (NET Bible)

14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

 

Storms.

 

When big storms are raging

the eye of it is calm

but when sin is fully engaging

the "I" in it is blind.

 

And as that sin has ended

devastation is gaining ground.

Your life then is upended

and truth hard to be found.

 

At first, you start denying,

then you blame someone else

and life itself is crying

as you pollute trust's basic well.

 

Emptiness now starts shouting

while you're all alone.

You can't handle all that racket

as it eats into the bone.

 

Your heart screams in confusion

Please hear! Leave me alone

Help me! Oh, a contradiction.

Love and hatred swirl in a cone.

 

Where do I turn to feel better?

Oh! ... I wish I was dead.

Nothing in this life does matter

you heard right ... that's what I said.

 

I prayed and there was no answer

Right now! ... I need to be heard.

No time left ... my conscience is denser.

Can't live with me... I'm so hurt.

 

Oh God! Where's the purpose of living?

I can't even repent somehow.

The fear that I feel ... not "forgiven"

because I took my hand off the plow.

 

It is said ... that time heals all things

but that is far from the truth

I need the balm that Christ brings.

To deny that! Makes me a fool.

 

Twisting and turning ... not resting.

Is that what's in store from now on?

Is this life's way of testing

that God's faith in me takes me home?

 

Remember that beautiful Hymn:

 

O Love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

 

Jan Wienen