Graduation

I graduated from high school last Friday, and had the great privilege of presenting one of my poems as part of the ceremony. The theme verse for the graduation was Nehemiah 6:9, which reads: “For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands” (ESV).

My poem focuses around that theme. In it I take a look at the fears that surround any big step in life, as well as the confidence we can have in the Lord as we step up to face those fears. 

Check it out on YouTube at the link below! 

Jewell’s Graduation Poem

Thanks! 

Jewell 

Storing Up the Word

When temptation approaches, 

Enticing me with excuses until my resolve wavers, 

Hope emerges from my chest with the words of my Lord. 

Temptation says: “You are too weak;” 

God says: “I will not give you more than you can handle.” 

Temptation says: “You know you want to give in;” 

God says: “Delight yourself in me and I will give you what you need.” 

And the comfort of the Lord strengthens me 

To turn from the darkness toward the light- 

For His Word is hidden in my heart, 

So that I will not sin against Him. 

No Foolish Disciple

I am a disciple, but I am not a foolish one 

I have not drunk from the cup of ignorance 

I do not believe without first seeing proof 

I am no foolish disciple 

I walk by faith and not by sight

But my faith is rooted in stone 

I do not pray to a transient god

My God hears every groan that issues from my heart 

I am no foolish disciple 

I chose my servanthood knowing full well the consequences 

Knowing full well the rewards 

And I shall continue to choose it 

Every day of my life 

I am no foolish disciple 

Declaration

Fear, thou hast no power over me 

Thou hast no footholds in my soul

I thank the God who shelters me 

Thou hast not held me in control 

Thy whisperings fall on unheeding ears 

Still I cast thee off as void of worth 

I care not how badly I am treated by the years 

For I am loved by God upon the earth 

Thou art a dull, pathetic haunt 

Piteous, wretched, sickly pale

I’ll no more tend thy every want 

Nor listen to thy selfish wail

No more I’ll nourish thee with worry 

I’ll keep thee from the corners of my mind 

Thou art powerless to my life hurry 

I’ll rid myself of members of thy kind 

For now I realize, dreadful Fear 

Thy influence was an illusion 

All along it was God’s power 

To ease my mind of its confusion 

And with the realization wept

Thou shrank and vanished from my sight 

My mighty God– to thy doom thee met– 

Has turned to lovely day thy night