03:09

God Asked

by Zachary Phillips

Rated
4.8
Type
talks
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
647

God Asked, a poem about life, death and finding a reason to go on --- God asked the man, Why did you choose to die? I saw no point in existence, I couldn’t fathom a reason why. I couldn’t stay focused, I couldn’t hold down work. I’d just wait for the day to end, to sleep away the murk. Every day was the same, I’d already lived it through. What was the point of repeating when there wasn’t anything new?

ExistentialismMental HealthReflectionMeaningJoyRedemptionMonotonyLifeDeathExistential CrisisMental Health IssuesJoy RecognitionConversations With GodLife ReflectionsSearching For MeaningSpirits

Transcript

God asked the man,

Why did you choose to die?

I saw no point in existence.

I couldn't fathom a reason why.

I couldn't stay focused.

I couldn't hold down work.

I'd just wait for the day to end,

To sleep away the murk.

Every day was the same.

I'd already lived it through.

What was the point of repeating when there wasn't anything new?

What about the small changes,

The gems of love and life?

What about the lessons learnt from surviving hardships and strife?

True,

I did feel most alive when things were at their worst.

But how is that a reason to live,

Just hoping to be cursed?

I could handle the drama,

But not the monotony,

Nor the vagueness of existence,

Nor humanity's cacophony.

I would sit alone.

I would sit in the dark.

I would sit and listen,

And my mind would remark,

Highlighting my failures,

Reminding me of lost dreams,

Showing me bad outcomes,

And my own devilish schemes.

Where were you,

God,

When I needed you the most?

Why'd you only start talking now that I'm a ghost?

I was talking the whole time.

I was the warmth of the sun.

I was in your kids' smiles,

Their laughter and fun.

I was the crash of the waves,

The vision of the moon,

The spring flower scent,

The young lover's boon.

I was the quenching of thirst,

The purr of a kitten,

The pillow at night,

The book well-written.

I could go on,

But I think you now know.

I was with you always,

Even when you were low.

Ah,

God,

You don't get it.

Your words were too easy to miss,

With all the noise,

With our collective descent into the abyss.

How could I just stop and look?

How could I listen to the birds' song?

How could I take a breath when everything was going wrong?

It isn't my place to save you,

Nor can I fix your life.

I can only remind you there is something beyond the strife.

That even in the mists of suffering,

There are small joys to behold.

But you were right,

My child.

Perhaps I should have been more bold.

No,

God,

I was also wrong.

You know,

This was my last thought.

I could fix every problem but this one.

Oh,

How my family will be distraught.

God thought for a moment,

Then asked the man,

If I sent you back to Earth,

Would you change your plan?

I will do my best,

But I make no guarantee.

I will attempt to listen.

I will attempt to see.

Meet your Teacher

Zachary PhillipsMelbourne, Australia

4.8 (108)

Recent Reviews

Lisa

November 13, 2023

11/13/23 This is a beautiful poem . Thank you . My younger brother took his life and I miss him every day . He had intense clinical depression and anxiety. I tried so hard to help him . He called the suicide hotline … and attempted with Xanax and then the doctors wouldn’t give him anxiety medicine when he was discharged because of the attempt. He had no children or wife ( he lost his job and girlfriend) and was having a tough time of it on top of mental illness. I wish he heard this poem .. I wish he stayed . He’s always in my heart ❤️ and I feel like there’s a piece of him in my grandson that was born a bit after he passed . Thank you . Bookmarand will share . Blessings to you .. grateful to discover you here. ❤️

Audrey

November 26, 2021

So relavent to my life My soulmate and baby sister all wrapped in one just lost this battle 😔

Lisa

October 20, 2021

I love this. Thank You.

Annette

October 20, 2021

Just what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you.

Shirlee

October 20, 2021

Oh how beautiful and true are these verses. Thank you.

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© 2026 Zachary Phillips. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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