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John Piper's Journey from Preaching to Poetry

After preaching on the inestimable value of God’s inspired word on Aug. 11, I was so moved that the desire to say it again another way kept urging me on. So I wrote this.

The Truth

(A Meditation on 2 Timothy 3:14-17)

Stay, Timothy. Stay in this firmament,

This world of light within the world. Relent

From wandering, from chasing mist. Remain!

Outside awaits the glistening world, insane.

Stay, Timothy. This sky, this vast terrain

Where you now stand, is not a painting, vain.

Nor is your mother fanciful. God wrought

This world. You were not fooled, but brought.

Stay, Timothy. A thousand flowers, fraught

With heaven’s milk and holy fragrance ought

To make you stop, so strewn with deity

This sacred garden spreads. Eternally.

Stay, Timothy, my son, and do not be 

A fool. The brightness here is how you see

Your way to heav’n. And there is shadowing 

That shows in silhouette your shining King.

Stay, Timothy. Remember, everything

In this bright world is beneficial. Sing,

And feast on holy food, and taste the way

Of love. Then it will be your joy to stay.