Earthy Theology

Poem about dragging theology through the mud

Photo by Simoné Stander on Unsplash

I’ve dragged this theology through the mud,
Forcing it to do what it promised.
Dunked it so deep into the sea to see
If there is truth in the words of the psalmist.
I’ve used it to wash wounds and sat with it
Among the tombs of life’s quiet, lonely rooms.

And each time, it has come out clean,
Doing what it said it would do—
Pulling me through to the surface,
Gasping for breath and new purpose.
It washes me clean and brings relief,
Taking me, always, to the One who takes my grief.

---

Last month I had a conversation with a dear saint, which has not left my mind. She let me know about the trials that her family has been going through and an upcoming funeral. It hit me how real our theology is. Trusting the sovereignty of God is not pie-in-the-sky theology, where everything is easy or inconsequential. It’s messy, earthy, and real. And our questions and confusion will not be fully resolved until glory.

For now we go through the mud, but we don’t go alone. Our Savior is with us and he saves to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). This is theology that can go through the mud of life with us.