The Big Picture Of Ephesians 3:10

Take ‘manifold’ – that word brings up a pix of folded sheets,
All stacked in piles with towels and such in linen-closet neat;
Or pipes which come from engine block to gather up exhaust,
And draw it through a muffled pipe so we can sit and talk.

In Greek it means a thing of which we’d say it ‘motley’ is,
An ‘odd assortment’, ‘various in character’ one sees.
So Paul describes the wisdom which arose back at the start,
When God created ‘Wisdom’ of which all creation’s part.

The story runs God Angels made long days before us folks;
One day their leader, and one third, rebelled – against God spoke;
They thought that life could be improved if selfishness was first,
So they took off and set up camp, and gave to life its worst.

So God stepped back and thought that through, then set another plan,
To make creation – universe – and in its center man;
Not ‘man’ as ‘male’, but ‘people’, more – with freedom and resource;
He knew full well that man would join the rebels group, of course.

But in the end some would come back and help him work his plan:
To say to Michael and his ilk, through life lived in the land,
“My ways and wisdom, built on love, and pouring out of life,
Much better are than selfishness and hate-engendered strife.”

His working out that long-term goal took patience by the ton;
He got attention of one bloke, asked him if he would run
His life and ways with family, this other way – with love;
And leave aside the selfishness, with all its push and shove.

So Abraham and all his kin said, “Yes, as best we can,
We don’t know much but we can learn Your ways to live as man”.
Down through the years they jotted down the insights they had gained;
We have their story, wisdom, notes – as “Bible” it’s remained.”

And “motley” would describe those notes and jottings through the years –
From joyous heights, to sad defeat, to cries in desperate tears;
Out in the heat of desert sun, they learned and passed it on,
A treasure-chest of wisdom gained from God by folks now gone.

Then Jesus came and said, “Move out – take leaven, salt, and light
To other cultures, nations, groups, bring to their lives delight;
Although they do not have to change, they can, if they so wish,
From hate, and greed, and selfishness, to better life like this.

Then Paul said, “That’s the point, my friends, of what we see in life –
Live contradiction out each day to hate and vicious strife.
As we live out God’s better ways, we say to angel group,
“We do not choose to live that way, or choose the rebel route.”

So, “manifold” describes God’s ways and wisdom in the book;
As we live out our diverse ways, we pause to take a look
Within its pages, insights again, new things which we could try,
As we move on to better lives than struggle, strife, and sigh.

Sure, lots don’t buy this fresh approach to living out their days,
They figure what they grasp and seize is how life really pays;
That’s fine, but in The Book Of Life, of motley wisdom’s ways
I find described a better way – pay heed to what it says.

So how’s that working for you guys – you rebel angel types?
You having fun with selfishness? with opposite of right?
You’d think by now you’d think again, give up your rebel ways,
Turn back, pick up this other way, with loving end your days.

Well, that’s your choice, but this is mine, it’s better in my view;
It’s balance, love, and gentleness, and joy in all I do;
I am not perfect, but each day I grow along that path,
And as I read The Book Of Life – “Please, more of that”, I ask.

I hope this lifestyle bothers you enough to change your mind,
So someday you will join with us and live a life that’s kind;
Quite frankly your approach to life – it sucks, and wrecks things up;
I do not like the choice you’ve made, and hope you’ll say, “Enough!”