Is it Strange that I Love God?

One of the authors mentioned frequently by participants at Theology Beer Camp last weekend was Walter Rauschbusch, one of the most important theologians of the 20th century and a powerful force in the development of the social gospel movement. I recently wrote about Rauschenbusch on this blog; it was great to encounter any number of people at Beer Camp whose thought has been influenced by his work.

Living the Social Gospel

In addition to his influential theological work, Rauschenbusch was also a poet. I often describe myself as “poetry challenged,” but this poem “The Little Gate to God” speaks to me. I hope it does the same for you.

In the castle of my soul

Is a little postern gate,

Whereat, when I enter,

I am in the presence of God.

In a moment, in the turning of a thought

I am where God is . . .

When I am with God

I look deep down and high up.

And all is changed.

The world of men is made of jangling noises.

With God it is a great silence.

But that silence is a melody

Sweet as the contentment of love . . .

When I enter into God,

All life has meaning.

Without asking, I know . . .

So it is when my soul steps through the postern gate

Into the presence of God.

Big things become small, and small things become great . . .

When I am in him, I am in the Kingdom of God

And the Fatherland of my Soul. Is it strange that I love God?