Paradoxes of Faith

8.10.2004

Shuffling papers while Africans die
Global institutions succumbing to lies
Headfirst in the sand, soliciting their demise
Our self-interest comes first, others’ needs we despise

Minimal security denied
People swatted down like flies
Passively complicit in genocide
To maintain our ethnocentric pride

As this child of the Nile
Is completely defiled
By a vile denial
Supplied with great Western smile

Compassion’s on trial
Too costly, not worthwhile
Giving with no return?
Are you kidding?! Not our style

We’d rather watch the ‘Land of the Blacks’
Rid itself of its own
First by raping their women
Then by burning their homes

Integrity compromised
Generations paralyzed
Blinders self-affixed to our eyes
While Sudan gets crucified

In view of the apathetic West
Uninterested at best
As tens of thousands of mothers
Lay their children to rest

Ignorant of the oppressed
We’re spiritually a mess
Deceived to believe
That though wealth we’ve been blessed

We must repent and confess
Of ourselves think much less
Of our pensions, our purses
And the size of our breasts

Whining, “Do I look good in this vest?”
“My four-dollar cappuccino’s too wet!”
Meanwhile an eight-year-old exile
Takes eight to the chest

“Don’t point your finger at us!
Outrageous! What nerve!
‘In God We Trust’ on our coin!”
Yet it’s Mammon you serve

Entering only for greed
Satisfying your own need
Lacking any concern
For the blood that they bleed

Blood that built your industrial empire
And your capitalist reign
Debts repaid with ethnic quagmire,
Iron shackles, and chains

Russia caught selling planes
US flooding markets, dumping grain
France exploiting African oil
Seeking earthly kingdoms to gain

First in African size
Last to which we’ll mobilize
Interceding for a promotion
While from Sudan averting our eyes

Her faces buried in hands
Her children buried in sand
Desperate pleas rise to Jesus
As His image is wiped from the land

But shout for joy, barren one
And you without child
To your Master, your Maker
Come be reconciled

I will contend with the one
Who makes contention with you
Taking note of your threats
With signs and wonders break through

As a Light to the nations
My Salvation to cover the earth
Do not be troubled, dear children
They’re hating you now as they hated Me first

Stay strong in the Lord
And in the power of His might
You meek get the earth
And you pure get the sight

So get ready, Sudan
For the great Son of Man
Your name is not ‘Forgotten’
But inscribed on His hands

Your Bridegroom is coming
Your victorious Warrior of Peace
Who, in garments dazzling and stunning,
Shall proclaim your release

Speaking, “Those bound up, run forth!
You in darkness, shine bright!
Dine on hills of infirmity
Find drink on bare heights

“Come, buy wine and milk
Without money, without cost
Delight your souls in abundance
For you have counted the cost

“Of a life lived for Me
Now enter My victory
Over death and its sting
Hundredfold here, life eternally”

Inheritance of the Name above names
Who trades His praise for your shame
That you might find rest in Him
And the glory of His fame

“Rise up, O My chosen!
Your weeping and mourning to end
Come feast with your Potter, Creator
Your Husband, and Friend.”