resistance pushes against

the man I'm supposed to be

and my eyes are locked 

on the brokenness inside;

but in truth I am a blind man,

narcissistic and vain.

I am shipwrecked

and tossed about

by the waves at sea.

there is no land in sight.

I am rebellious against

the one who speaks peace to the storm

and struggle against

the power of the ocean

as if I suppose I could withstand

its strength and unrelenting buffeting.

and what does this pride afford me

but more trouble and suffering?

 

oh, Jonah, you stupid, fearful man.

why do you run from the inescapable?

why do you hide

from ever-seeing eyes?

where is it that you think you can hide?

even the depths could not cover you

without your being exposed.

must you be devoured

to come to your senses?

must you face the grave

in order to find your life again?

what will it take?

what more must you endure?

 

know this, oh Jonah:

I am forever patient,

and I am pursuing you

to the ends of the earth.

I am relentless.

I am ever watching over you

and await your return.

Where is it that you think you can go

that I will not find you again?

I will never give up on you

though your heart is failing

and you cannot see what I do.