“Our Response” (Matt. 21:12) [Module #286]

There’s times of visitation, when Jesus comes to us –
For me back in my childhood – He pulled me from a muss
Created by my moving – effects of TCK
Emerged, became a problem, but visit changed my way.

His Spirit brought me quiet – a sense of someone there;
He greeted, then He left me, but nothing else compared
To those eternal moments, there on that island shore,
The peace amidst the turmoil, was peace for evermore.

For though He left awareness, that didn’t mean He left;
I came to know His actions, I was no more bereft
Within a world of strangers, a TCK alone –
But had a loving Father, and my eternal home.

I turned my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior then;
I thought the horizontal was base, and so began
Attempt to do the Kingdom down here amongst the foe;
You can, but it’s a struggle, no matter where you go.

Of course, third-culture tension was twist I did not see,
Until I wrote some novels, of that reality;
But still, the horizontal was struggle for us all
Though vertical was helpful, as it addressed the fall.

Through Andrew Murray’s writing on prayer – day ten, eleven,
Diagonal came clearer – Christ calling us from heaven
To grow up, both dimensions, to full maturity
In Him, as part of body – but still I did not see –

That Kingdom was like “layers” on overhead (or now
Like Photoshop whose layers great freedom can allow) –
For once we climb up on it, are placed, or we opt in,
We move without restrictions by those whose life is sin.

It’s easier than baseline of world we’re born into,
No matter what our culture (or TCK) as view
Of life, for now our actions, like mustache drawn on face
Is done upon a layer, not done in world as base.

So when a light shines through it, we’re just as real as world;
Both layers now are blended, new tone for day made whole;
We live – let live those people who’d rather not opt in,
Or those who try to live out the Kingdom life midst sin.

What rest He brings to spirit, to body, mind, and soul –
Removal of the friction is great, as we’re made whole;
This is the living Temple, along with those below
Who struggle in the context with Kingdom as a goal.

Response is what’s demanded when Christ shows up in life –
We get to just ignore Him, or get relief from strife;
Lord, thanks for Your assistance, Your presence, and Your work,
On better road You’ve placed us, then in the background lurked.

Lord, as we press on forward into Your Kingdom’s way,
Help us to grow in spirit, mind, body, soul, each day,
Until we reach the fullness of Your maturity,
As part of Your own body, in larger unity.

Thanks Lord for this.

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