November 10th

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
     the work of human hands.” Psalm 135:15

if only . . .
if only our false god
were made from metals
which could be melted
into wedding rings or candle holders,
or from stone which could
be crushed for sidewalks
or wood which could become
kindling for fires on winter nights
but now, they are not made
from our fingers and hands
but from our fears and prejudices
in fake tans and bitter words,
in calls to rough justice and cruelty,
in uniforms of athletes who think
their skills on playing fields
excuse personal misconduct,
in religious types who would
turn Jesus into some sort
of action figure or superhero
who would rather hunt down 

enemies than gathering them
into the Beloved Community of God.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman