This wind around me

This wind around me
How it toils and it grows
It blows wherever it goes
It takes with it whatever it will
It gathers and scatters

To remain in this place
To not be caught up with it
It takes much purpose
Much conviction
Such a foundation
Is hard to find

Too often
It is easy to be caught up with it
There is pleasure for a moment
To feel the breath of life
As one is caught up in its currents

But when its course is run
And the winds have changed
All is rearranged
Yet still we remain
Lost, without direction
And full of pain
In this, what did we gain

True a lesson was found
In this present purpose bound
But have we the skill to gain
The wisdom in the pain
Or will we again
Be caught up in
These gusts of wind

Who can know when they
Shall return
Either we can burn
With passion
Or yearn to grow
To learn to know

How to build a foundation
That will not yield
To such intoxication
It will remain steadfast
Till the very last
Breeze has blown

While all others
Are scattered
Here we find shelter
In this unshifting sand
For it is stronger
Than that which is made by hand

This rock, this cornerstone
Before all others were known
Its purpose was shown
Its plan would shelter
Would save......man

For those who would seek it
And cling to its foundation
And not be scattered
Or shattered by it
Would find its worth
In this one that came to earth

For in time
When the currents grow
And the winds blow
When the heavens quake
And the earth shakes

Then will all creation
Desire this firm foundation
But they will be scattered
Shattered by its force
No earthly thing can stop its course
Its source of power is not of this earth

So while still this eye of the storm remains
May all creation cease to be amazed
By such earthly desires
And come to trust in that
Which remains sure and steady
May all come ready
To receive this assurance
Found in this rock
Which shall not be moved

May they seek it earnestly
And humbly
Not for what can be gained by it
But what can be found in it
Without it none shall live
It requires all one can give
And more
It desires full control
One must give full allegiance
With heart, and hand, and soul

But what is received is beyond all
Imagination
Nothing more can be desired
For from this rock flows
The springs of eternal life
And with it all longings
Are fulfilled in this
Rock of Ages

-Joshua Lee Foist