"Hang In There (#3,4,5 of 6)" [John - Core Series] (John 15:1-16)
It seems quite clear to me on reading this,
That secret of one’s apostolic bliss
Is staying on the vine – connected up
To You, O Lord, and that is quite enough.That is, there’s great distractions on our way,
As we live out our lives in You each day –
Temptations to go elsewhere in our life
That’s cutting ties with You, Your love, and light.But here I also come to see this more –
God cuts us back, that fruit we bore before
Might greater be, as we leave hearth and home
On apostolic journeys; as the world we roam.It’s fruitfulness that makes our quality,
As judged by You and what we each would be;
If, as, and when in You we would abide,
Resources flow through vine – where we reside.So stay in You and Rhema-words in us;
Ask what we wish of You, that is enough
To trigger resource flowing to each task
We do in You, as we do what You ask.That’s how discipleship in You is seen –
Resources flowing far above the mean
And mean the world lives out each working day,
With noses to the grindstone – hours for pay.For “grind” is not God’s will for you, my friends,
But joy, and life abundant, ’till life ends;
Let go, lay down your precious life today,
That others may have life and joy this way.Self-giving love is key to life that’s good;
I chose you for this work – now understood
To be my Apostolic task out there –
To boundary-cross two cultures if you dare.That’s why I call you friend, not servant here –
My task for each of you I have made clear;
Step out once you’ve recovered from the hit
Which you will take this night – for this is it.Thanks Lord for this.
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