by Dave Schultz
History of the Huns
When the world was just-born, the first Hun crossed new
and empty seas to find a place of safety
for his sons--a place where he might trade regret
for joy, trouble for peace, aimlessness for Truth.
He came proudly, with a defiant spirit,
and made a home with only his own sword’s help.
But what would be her wealth, and what course would help
her grow? Lacking wisdom to find something new,
he fell back on that age-old warrior spirit,
chose the force of arms to provide her safety,
made the certainty of death her founding truth,
strove to capture laughter from others’ regret.
For long ages the Huns sowed ruin and regret,
and reaped stolen riches. There was neither help
nor hiding place when we came. Our only truth
was vengeance; we never fashioned any new
thing but corpses; we cared for no man’s safety
but our own. We confessed no God or Spirit.
Nor cared we what befell each victim’s spirit.
We did these things without mercy or regret.
Yet for all our success we had no safety;
the dread of us never purchased neighbors’ help;
we squandered each plunder while it was yet new;
waste and emptiness remained our only truth.
In a moment’s pause spoke the small voice of Truth.
We heard our names called by the Holy Spirit,
and sought something honest, something just, something new.
We started to turn from things which cause regret,
and humbled ourselves to ask others for help--
and so were steered to the source of all safety.
In Jesus Christ are salvation and safety.
In Him we find purpose, glimpse eternal truth;
In Him we find rest, and unspeakable help--
not by our might or power, but by His spirit.
In this twice-born world we part seas of regret
to storm into a Kingdom holy and new.
We claim a new life free of tears and regret,
and pray for the Holy Spirit, who will help
teach us truth and defend our young faith’s safety.
