In Michelangelo’s painting of Adam reaching out to touch God’s finger as God reaches out to man to touch his finger to connect, we see a small space or gap between the two fingers. What is in that space and how is it filled to join the two? That is what my new poem, “The Space,” addresses.

The space between man and God’s fingers in the Michelangelo’s ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel is deliberately intended. It can be interpreted to represent many things and many things could and do fill that space between man and God. What is in this space and what should fill it? I wrote my newest poem "The Space" with these thoughts in mind.

The Space

What is in the space?
That separates God from the human race
Is it life in Heaven juxtaposed to life on earth? 
Never to be closed until time’s end 
When new earth begins renews us again

What is in the space?
Is it the permanent separation from God of sin
What blocks entry to Heaven not letting us in
That we turn to each and every day 
When we fall and lose our way

What is in the space?
Our humanness spilling over through centuries and years
Imperfections, failings, emotions, fears 
Only angels tread lithely traverse this gap
For the empty callous there is no guide or map

What is in the space?
Our lack of faith and disbelief 
Our hardened hearts filled with grief
No trust in the invisible eternal unseen
Minds laughing mocking at this pretend dream

What closes the space? 
That joins God with the human race
Is it our yearning and longing for our permanent home?
Man’s search for meaning and connection 
Our desire for unending love, attachment and affection

What closes the space?
God who breathed life into all nature and creation
Who created man as a wonder filled with knowledge and so many sensations
In the beginning was just Him, the Three in One
This love surely is manifest through the Son

What closes the space?
The Christ child who became man
Who brought healing and faith to all lands
Who died for us on a cross 
He sacrificed for us so we would not be lost

What closes the space?
The Holy Spirit as He who was left
He is the one who now safely keeps us kept
Man seeking God, Him waiting to be found
Jesus bridges this the space He wears the glory and the crown

-Dr. Rhonda Milner

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
Ephesians 1:7

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."
2 Thessalonians 3:3