Hound of Heaven

I'm learning some unexpected literary terms in studying Richard Foster's Prayer, Finding the Hearts True Home. Last week I had to research Caspar Milquetoast, which refers to a comic strip character in "Timid Soul," who was known for his meek, bland, "milk toast" personality. This week there was a 180 degree turn in personality traits. I thought Richard Foster had penned a new concept for understanding God as a "hound of heaven baying relentlessly on our track." Those words and that imagery left a strong impression during the reading. I was surprised to find a classic poem "The Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson which must have been the background for his comments.

I fled Him down the nights and down the days.
I fled Him down the arches of the years,
I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways of my own mind:
And in the mist of tears I hid from Him,
...Down titanic glooms of chasmed fears
From those strong feet that followed, that followed after.

I guess I'll have to wait for Eugene Peterson to re-work the lengthy verse before I can gain a better understanding of the entire poem, but this image of a persistent, determined, faithful God is powerful indeed. Who can't hear the baying of a hound in pursuit and know that it is a matter of time before the focused hound finds its intention.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are thankful that you seek us, find us, and claim us as your own. In our floundering attempts to stay hidden, you find us where we are. May we, just as doggedly, pursue your vision for our congregation. You have set before us a trail of familiarity, overlapping with traces of unfamiliar and unexplored ideas. Let us use our best sense of discernment to follow the path closest to your footsteps, closest to your will. We ask that if we stray or become delayed that you will search for us and deliver us towards the path of redemption. Let us rejoice in the bay of your call, knowing we are closer to communion with you. Amen