I do not understand why Jesus came,
Why this should be God’s plan to make my life
What He desires and bring me back to Him;
I do not understand this way of pain,
Of suffering on a cross, of bitter shame,
How this could make me clean from every sin.

I do not understand how God could be
Incarnate in my frail humanity;
How such perfection could be one with me,
The Father, Son and Spirit – why the Three ­–
At work for me from all eternity –
I do not understand this mystery.

I do not understand so many things,
The way of life and love, the happenings
That so confound our human reasoning.
This life is full of paradox and pain,
But yet I cannot feel that all is vain –
All winter through I hear the robin sing!

Janet I. Edwards