[Noozhawk’s note: Second in a series.]
Please return to Part 1 of this poem in last week’s column before continuing, then let’s commence with the final 16 verses.
I trust you’ll appreciate the dramatic ending.
‘Upon Golden Skis’ — Part 2
Then too, I took off, skiing closely in his track.
He surged straight ahead, never looking back,
Deftly cutting left and right through the woody glen,
Abruptly breaking as we reached the end.
All that lay ahead was a dep expansive cliff.
He thanked me as a friend, and wondered if
I was prepared to join Him and ski alongside
This day forward, forever glorified?
Skiing the clouds of Heaven sounded great to me,
“But, I’m not ready,” I said selfishly.
Laughingly He spoke, “You need not come this time.”
Prophesying the riddle to my rhyme.
Still skiing the Sierra, bounding from glade to glade,
Searching for Him, that friendship quickly made.
Lord, I have now found peace that puts me more at ease.
I’m ready to ski those clouds of Heaven — upon golden skis.
What seems appropriate is to let you know what this poet gleans from these 40 verses years later. I recall having to give my interpretation of notable poems from the past while taking English and American Literature courses in my undergraduate work. My analyses seldom agreed with the professor’s opinion.
And to this very day, I still disagree with some of the interpretations of those professors — especially one older professor during my freshman year at Texas A&M University.
Here’s what these words have always meant to this author. As a new follower of Christ, I surmised skiing would remain a part of my life; it did not. I put away my skis in 1987.
Occasionally, I think about the joy of skiing down a challenging slope, but I realize those thoughts are not realistic nor part of God’s plan for this servant. My pleasure comes from being available for the many circumstances He puts in my path. The journey has been remarkable and more exhilarating than any black diamond ski run.
The real message of this poem has little to do with skiing and much to do with the intimate relationship that was formed in 1984 when I first trusted in Christ as my Savior and Lord. He is that “friendship quickly made” and I’m so glad that He kept searching for me when I was oblivious to His existence.
Perhaps you, too, can relate to this in your own journey, and perhaps you will realize His existence in the future. One thing I know: God wants an intimate relationship with you even though you, too, may be oblivious to the idea of His intimate love for you — an integral part of His marvelous creation.
I hope this poem from the past has fanned the flame and rekindled the fire for God’s love in your life.
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at jim@fourthquarterstrategies.com for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.