By Ken Sehested (right with grandchildren), whose fluency tends toward poetic expression, in response to our 2019 question, “What is your definition of radical discipleship?”

 “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone
who demands from you an accounting for the hope
that is in you: yet do it in gentleness and reverence.”
—1 Peter 3:15-16

To your feet, you pilgrims of faith’s long journey! Stand and pledge your allegiance to that nation-supplanting Realm to come.

For what do we hope?

We hope for the Beloved’s Promise to overtake the world’s broken-hearted threat.

For what do we long?

We long for the moist goodness of God to outlast the parched climate of despair.

For what do we lack?

We lack for nothing—save the need for hearts enlarged by the assurance that every hostage will be freed.

For what do we strive?

We strive for lives marked by goodness, purified of deceit and malice, and hands made gentle by the tender caress of Wisdom’s approach.

For what do we struggle?

We struggle for the fate of every child whose sighs and cries are muffled by the market’s disdain.

In what do we rejoice?

We rejoice in rebellious acts of abundance in the face of every stingy arrangement.

For what prize do our eyes arise?

Our eyes arise for the Beloved Community’s embrace of earth’s abode and Heaven’s favor.

We stand repeatedly on the edge of death’s brutal domain. Yet we are buoyed by the promise that one day all tears will be dried.

Thanks be to God!

Alleluia!

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Ken Sehested is curator of prayerandpolitiks.org, an online journal at the intersection of spiritual formation and prophetic action.