Death's Depths

26 May 2023

Reflecting on Malcolm Guite’s “The Christian Plummet” this poem came to me as I was sitting with my children, but in the back of my mind I couldn’t shake the thought of my great sins and how often I choose to willingly enter the depths rather than to draw on the goodness of God in Christ.

Accompanying reading: Psalm 18

I dive like a plummet,

Searching for ocean floor.

And land with a thud,

Upon hell’s door.

Intrigued by darkness,

I yank at the hatch,

When a hand from behind

Pulls me back with a snatch.

It is Christ –

His glorious robes all around.

Only Him now I see,

And I hear not a sound.

Till His voice splits through,

A thunderous roar.

His presence brings fear,

Yet His love I feel more.

“That door will not open,

You may try all you wish.

You were sealed with my fire,

You’ll not sleep with those fish.

You may search ocean floor,

May long for death’s depths.

You may run from my love,

And avoid my right steps.

But no matter how deep

You may try to dive down,

Even deeper I’ll go,

That is why I’m renown.

See, I’ve been through that hatch,

But death was beneath me.

So, I spit it back out,

I would not drink from Lethe.

Can’t you see I am Love,

And this love is for you.

Death is destroyed,

In my image you’re new.

I will take you back up,

To the shore and beyond

With me you’re eternal

An unforfeitable bond.

The desires of your heart,

In these depths will not fill.

But on high you’ll create

Without worry, just thrill.

So come with me now,

Live out new creation.

Redeemed to tell all,

Every tribe, tongue, and nation.”

His hand I grasp tightly,

From the depths I am brought.

Away from the darkness,

A new man being wrought.

Copyright © 2023 by Travis Teague