“The Three Besetting Sins” (Matt.4:1-11)
There’s three besetting sins – temptation’s rife,
To screw up clergy lives for self and wife –
The first is “Whine”; the second is to “Shine”;
The third’s “Recline” (that’s lazy all the time).My buddy figures burnout is the thing
His colleagues suffer from – “recline” would bring
A sweet relief for they press towards the mark
(Or are the mark – they’ve missed it from the start).I’ve seen recline – I don’t know how they face
So little done, like work seems out of place;
I’ve also seen “engagement – biding still”;
That’s different – there’s peace within that will.“Frenetic” is the word that comes to mind –
How I was raised, describes my holy grind
’Till time to think in hospital those days
Showed “slowing down” gave bumper crop that pays.The “shining” thing’s a problem in my past –
It motivated me to travel fast;
It was a swamp ahead I could not see,
’Till friend and mentor held it up for me.Not that it’s gone, more left like satan’s ways
With You, O Lord – he bided better days,
Then he returned, “You do not have to die –
Have pity on thyself – I’ll make you fly!”For it returns and rears its ugly head;
“Learn language” is instruction which You said –
“That’s great for keeping pride in check a while;
No way you’ll get through that in haughty style.“For people crossing boundaries get a whack
From target-group; then more when they get back;
You think that you will change it – Babel can
Reduce you all to tears – you’re just a man.”Whine, shine, recline – just take your pick, my friend;
It stays with you from start right to the end;
So smile and joke around, step to the plate,
And on this Kingdom-layer participate.Thanks Lord for this.
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