Mighty is the Measurer - AnnaKate
"Outcomes are stronger — the Measurer mightier still — than the thoughts of any man."
This quote comes from line 116 of The Seafarer and I found this to be really interesting. Obviously, this "Measurer" described in the poem is some type of name for a god, but is it the one true God that we know? Or is it a different god entirely? Does the writer refer to a specific god or are they speaking in a more mystical, general sense? The final stanza of the poem talks about "the Lord" and the "Lord of Glory," but a part of me can't help but wonder if the author and I have the same one in mind.
This mention of the Measurer marks a really distinct shift in tone for this poem. Before the Measurer is introduced, the seafarer is lamenting. He is really struggling out at sea. Nature does not seem to be treating the seafarer with much kindness or mercy. But then the Measurer makes an appearance. The Measurer is the seafarer's hope and his reward. It is the vessel in which is comfort is stored.
This, to me, serves as a potent reminder to constantly seek to put my hope in the Lord. Whether I am stuck at sea where "hail flies in showers" (ln 17) or whether I am seriously struggling in my schoolwork or whether my family is desperately trying to make enough money to scrape by, the Lord is my strong tower. I hope that the picture of faith that the seafarer paints for us is a bit of a wake-up call to us that we cannot save ourselves, since it has been made clear that "Foolish is he who dreads not the Lord, his death comes unexpected."
zelda & breanna
This quote comes from line 116 of The Seafarer and I found this to be really interesting. Obviously, this "Measurer" described in the poem is some type of name for a god, but is it the one true God that we know? Or is it a different god entirely? Does the writer refer to a specific god or are they speaking in a more mystical, general sense? The final stanza of the poem talks about "the Lord" and the "Lord of Glory," but a part of me can't help but wonder if the author and I have the same one in mind.
This mention of the Measurer marks a really distinct shift in tone for this poem. Before the Measurer is introduced, the seafarer is lamenting. He is really struggling out at sea. Nature does not seem to be treating the seafarer with much kindness or mercy. But then the Measurer makes an appearance. The Measurer is the seafarer's hope and his reward. It is the vessel in which is comfort is stored.
This, to me, serves as a potent reminder to constantly seek to put my hope in the Lord. Whether I am stuck at sea where "hail flies in showers" (ln 17) or whether I am seriously struggling in my schoolwork or whether my family is desperately trying to make enough money to scrape by, the Lord is my strong tower. I hope that the picture of faith that the seafarer paints for us is a bit of a wake-up call to us that we cannot save ourselves, since it has been made clear that "Foolish is he who dreads not the Lord, his death comes unexpected."
zelda & breanna
I really enjoyed your blog post. I too really enjoyed The Seafarer, it's such a great poem. The ending is very ambiguous about which God he is talking about, but I would have to ask, does it matter if we are talking about the same God as him? We love our God, and He is in everything we do, say, or even read -- even if the speaker isn't directly talking about our God, he is still in there. The things the speaker says are applicable to our God, and they might possibly be to the fictitious one he is speaking of if it is not the same one as us, but in it we can find a way to find God within it.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post Annakate!!! I loved the reminder that when we are struggling we can call upon the Lord and He will draw near to us and take our worries and our struggles away. Our only hope is in Christ! Without Him, we have no hope. This is just a great reminder I know I lose sight of all too often! -Anna Grace Gay
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading The Seafarer, I too was wondering if he and I were thinking of the same God. But the connection you made about seeking the Lord is awesome! It is always a good reminder to turn to the Lord in times or trouble or worry! Great post!
ReplyDeleteMadison Flowers
I think that is the point of this poem. Initially, everyone has a different "god". Whatever might take precedence in their lives rules their lives and measures their values and loyalties. That is a very interesting thought though about how pretty much anyone can have anything for a god essentially.
ReplyDelete