I’m excited to share our first ‘Everyday Faith’ post from contributor, Dan Finkenstadt. I met Dan through Monterey Church, where he is an elder and also leads a men’s group that my husband belongs to. Today, he shares with us a poem he wrote called ‘Woeful 3’ and the inspiration that led to these powerful words. Thank you, Dan, for sharing your heart and your gift!
“Woeful 3”
Written by: Dan Finkenstadt
There is a cliff fast approaching
It’s weathered edges soft and broken
It’s bitter end clear yet unspoken
I see it fast, fast approaching
At its end all I can see
Are ominous, fearful options three
Each full of opaque mystery
Each to their own degree
Choice one I fear is widest path
To sit on edge and wait to pass
Either time or effort borne by another
To carry me from this side to the other
But woe to those that choose this stand
For what is coming; a dark hand
Building nothing to bring us across
Instead we fall forever lost
More woeful still is the second choice
The one that listens to a shadowy voice
The one that says “there is no path to the other side”
That it is simply a torture you can’t abide
That bids you take action on hopeless thoughts
And fling yourself into the lost
Yet along a narrow trail some see
A passage paved to set them free
A bridge ever there but hard to perceive
Without fear, with love, if they receive
With markers made by Father’s voice
Providing hope in the hardest choice
To jump across in faith from calling
That one should fly instead of falling
And land securely and abide
In Father’s love on the other side
There is a cliff fast approaching
There is a choice near, encroaching
And I perceive with Father’s heart
I’d better get a running start
Behind the Poem
“Woeful 3” is a poem I wrote early one morning following a meeting with the Pastor of Monterey Church in Warrenton and its elders. We were discussing the future of the church and how to best lead the body through the growth plans that God has provided as near, interim and long-term vision. We discussed the fear that this can bring to the body if they are not in tuned with the Holy Spirit and willing to listen carefully and trust God’s voice.
I personally have gone through a lot of challenges when hearing from God and in dealing with insecurities and fear in day-to-day life. I know what it is to stand still hoping for things to change without seeking God’s plan or guidance. I have also had very close experiences with suicide that have shown me that fear of failure or loss of purpose as Pastor Joe Smith spoke about on 8 Jan can lead some to give up on God’s mission for their time on Earth. The third and final group mentioned in this poem are the ones who seek to trust in God’s good plan and follow wherever it leads. This poem recognizes that, though they make the right choice for eternity, it is no less full of fright than the other two choices. We should know that stepping into the unknown takes courage, but courage is not the absence of fear, merely the ability to walk through it.
Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
About Dan
 | Dan Finkenstadt resides in Haymarket, VA with his wife Amy, daughter Amaris and Son Wilde. He is a member of the U.S. military stationed in Northern Virginia. He also serves as an Elder at Monterey Church in Warrenton, VA. Dan regularly contributes to defense and business trade publications as part of his professional interests and is contributing to iheartwarrenton.com to fulfill his spiritual interests. |
As Daniel’s mother I would like to think I know everything about him. We can never truly know what is is one’s heart. Daniel has always had a gift of sharing a part of him through his writings and poems. Thank you for sharing what is yet another piece of him through his expressions of words that I got a glimpse of his strong faith that continues to make me proud!!
Daniel, what a deep, beautiful poem! Your words seem to flow effortlessly without a hint of contrived rhyme or meter. I share your mom’s pride in the strong faith you have found and nurtured. Who would have thought that the 5th grader who wore high heels to school on the day of the class field trip would grow into a wonderful, strong soldier, militarily speaking as well as spiritual speaking. Let me not sign off before explaining that you wore heels that morning only because the girls had been admonished NOT to wear them for this field trip that involved a lot of walking. I’m sure teachers were careful thereafter to specify that no one was to wear heels or whatever restrictions were appropriate. And we were so grateful to learn that you did bring your regular young man shoes to school that day! I am grateful that you shared this poem. Being old school, I will make a copy! Love to you and your family, Daniel! May God continue to use you to draw people to Himself.