How do we find faith in God? In trying to find answers, I see glimpses of a pathway in this sonnet by John Milton. In line nine the sonnet makes a decided choice, saying: “Yet be it less, or more, or soon or slow…” This is the crux of the matter isn’t it? No matter what, am I willing to risk everything to stand on the idea that “all is?” With God’s grace, may it be so.
How Soon Hath Time
How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stoln on his wing my three and twentieth year!
My hasting days fly on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th.
Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth,
That I to manhood am arrived so near,
And inward ripeness doth much less appear,
That some more timely-happy spirits endu’th.
Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,
It shall be still in strictest measure even
To that same lot, however mean or high,
Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heaven;
All is, if I have grace to use it so,
As ever in my great Taskmaster’s eye.
-John Milton
