Lately, it seems like every good friend I know is going through some huge thing. Children having brain surgery, children having cancer, husbands having health issues, parents dying. My heart is overwhelmed. And I feel helpless for them. As if anything little ol’ me can do will give them immediate relief. I know that the only thing I can do is just be there and pray them through it. And maybe that is enough, but my heart feels pressed to do more.
I came upon this poem and felt it. All in my bones and in my soul. In my heart of hearts I ache with every pressure it speaks.
“Pressed”
Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely, it seems beyond strength;
Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul;
Pressed in the mind, till the dark surges roll,
Pressed by foes, and pressure by friends –
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.
Pressed into knowing no helper but God
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into tasting the joy of the Lord;
Pressed into loving a Christ-life outpoured.
– V. Raymond Edman –
