The Outside God

I want to see You, Lord, outside of me,
I want to look at You with my own eyes,
inside I can’t discern Your mystery,
to use my senses, not just my surmise.

I feel You, Lord, attend me from in here,
but I want to see more of You out there,
sometimes inside I sense You are too near,
but outside less, where You are everywhere.

I don’t see You when I make myself blind,
if I don’t look, You’re not reflected back--
from those least ones to whom I should be kind,
You’re really there, it’s faith and love I lack.

You are not hidden, Lord, I will to hide
from You in here and so from You outside.

                        -- by Pete Voelz       3/20/13