peace be still (mark 4:35-41)

though the wind and waves pound

and resound

too much for the groaning mast

and the fraying lines

pushed so close to the brink of collapse

though this sorry excuse for a boat

wasn’t built for this

rocking and swaying

reeling and shaking

the boom wildly swinging and banging

though every tolerance is tested

the seal on the verge of breaking

the sound of hull joints cracking

the waves slapping

the wind invading

the water seeping

encroaching

unrelenting

and oh that deadly chill-

peace

be still.

you think you’ll never get to dry ground

you think in a moment you'll be drowning

in the dark waters of the unknown

but even so

breathe

for now

and know

the Pilot 

has it under control.

peace

be still.

Hold On: song written Sept 11, 2001

This weekend there will be services all over the country in stark remembrance of the shattering moment that ripped apart our sense of security and well-being exactly ten years ago.  

I've been asked to sing at my parents' church service on Sunday.  I'll sing Hold On, a song I wrote as events were unfolding with ferocity on the day of September 11, 2001.  The words started forming as startling footage was being played on every station, and all planes nationwide were grounded (which explains the line, "despite the awkward silence in the air").  It was indeed an awkward silence and we all felt it.  In the vacuum that brought New York, and all of us, to our knees, gasping for breath, the question arose in the throats of many of us, "where does God fit into all this?" This song was my way of dealing with it.


Since then, I've revisited these lyrics when earthquakes have buried thousands, tsunamis have swallowed entire islands, and wars have stolen so many of our best and brightest. I've revisited them when cancer took one of my best friends from childhood, and diseases stolen the mobility and well-being of friends and beloved family members. When I read or listen to the song, it holds up for me, because it reminds me of all that, deep down, I know to be true.


hold on


despite the devastation now
beyond the things I'll never understand
God I'm reaching for Your hand
beyond the questions hanging here
despite the awkward silence in the air
I believe that You're still there

and I'll hold on to the Voice that calls my name
hold on to the Heart that feels the pain
hold on to the promise that remains
hold on

and I'll hold on to the Hand that gently guides
hold on to the strength that's left inside
the shreds of belief that just won't die
hold on

the gift of one more day begins
the act of breathing out and breathing in
the will to start again
one more day to serve, to give
to reach beyond the wreckage and to live
to respect the sacred gift

hold on though the world is not the same
hold on to the God who'll never change
hold on to the fragments of your faith
hold on

hold on and believe the Holy One
and know that His justice will be done
hold on to the Kingdom yet to come
hold on

and just hold on for the world is turning still
despite every tremor we will feel
hold on for eternal life is real
hold on

and just hold on though the mountains fall apart
the pieces of hope left in our hearts
will hold us until the healing starts
hold on

just hold on.
--
Link to recording of "Hold On"
Hold On ©2001 Greg Ferguson.