Keep the Feast in Faith
Here is where the kitchen was
The smell of smoke a haze of dust
And here is where the window burst
When the vandal flames broke out on us
So much is lost in the heat of war
The heart grows cold the house goes bare
But here upon this ashen floor
Still we keep our feast
CHORUS
In faith, we are branches bearing flame but not consumed
and the fruit will make it plain when these old rooms are filled again
Now we seek the feast in faith, and we will live to see the feast begin
See the heartpine lost its heart they said
It’s waterlogged and can’t be saved
But there’s a strength yet in that ancient grain
Where the ringing years have carved hope’s refrain
And a rippling song that haunts these halls
A Holy Ghost breathes here after all
BRIDGE
And I can see the pilgrims make their way
To find a home that knows the burning of the burdens they have carried
And that have carried them here
Where the bitterness can pour the wine
Where death has set the table for the feast of life
Matthew Clark is a singer/songwriter and storyteller from Mississippi. He has recorded several full length albums, including Matthew’s latest project, “The Well Trilogy,” 3 full-length album/book combos released over three years. Each installment—Only the Lover Sings, A Tale of Two Trees, and Where the River Goes—is made up of 11 songs and a companion book of 13 essays written by a variety of contributors exploring themes around encountering Jesus, faith-keeping, and the return of Christ. You can find the books on Amazon and the albums on Spotify and Apple Music.
A founding member of The Maker’s Project and a columnist for Cultivating, Matthew’s essays reflect on faith-keeping and pilgrimage. Matthew travels as a touring musician and speaker sharing songs and stories in a van called Vandalf.
Truly a beautiful song! Meditating specifically on the second verse.