“The Things He Wants To Hear” (1 Cor.15:24-28) [Reflections on Book: Wm.C.King (ed) Portraits and Principles of The World's Great Men And Women Chicago: The King-Richardson Co. 1899 - #81/100]

There’s things folks do not want to hear,
For hearing them makes context clear –
Like, “Risk I take without consent –
We win, we lose – I’m that way bent”.

Internal motives are okay,
But what he now goes on to say
Is “Money”, “Wealth”, externally
Are quite okay as draw for me.

“Be nice in sandbox (narrow view)
Is really all you need to do”
Is his standard – he behaves
By the methods of the staid.

Lord, Paul’s comment changes all
This, to way of life so small;
Gives expansion to our view
Of a life now lived in You.

“Stomping evil to the ground”;
“On Your Kingdom-layer be found,
Place to live and grow in You” –
In Paul’s words a richer view.

Lord, all this now circles ’round –
Things he lists indeed are found
To be ways that evil’s trashed
But the motive’s what is smashed.

Why make motive of a part
We will lose once battle starts?
“Cashless; friendless; dead as well”;
Are the costs the Scripture tells –

Us, so keep perspective here –
Externalities appear
When we hear Paul’s words to us
Through two thousand years of fuss.

We can lay this to our hearts
Live for it and do our part –
Potent agent, calling powers,
Motives, energies of ours.

It can also activate
People from the starting gate;
Helping others to get rich
When bogged down within some ditch.

Lots depends on pooled resource,
Power in You bears no remorse;
Evil lies like mud around,
Twisting, bending all to ground.

“Culture” is a recipe
For smooth living socially;
Systems vary, each bogs down
In the evil mud around.

So ones’ motives, methods here
Vary with the context near;
Life in You, Lord Jesus Christ,
Takes us far beyond, “Be nice” –

To Your year of Jubilee
Where the trapped are now set free;
Spirit forces hold folks fast
’Till discerned – ka-boomed at last .

Lord, thanks for Your Spirit’s gifts
Through us ’till Your heaven’s kiss
Brings to all new lease on life,
Joy when darkness shifts to light.

Thanks Lord for this.

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