“Despair” (Matthew 5:3)

A person called from India,
“I grant you have” he said;
She laughed out loud – “Why do you laugh?”
“Some crazy script you’ve read.”

Some back and forth, and then the voice
Said, “Oh all right”, with sigh;
Despairing that this job had failed –
Now “What?” And “How?” And “Why?”

Hey, buddy, we’re all headed there –
Bhopal and Bangladesh;
You’re just a bit ahead of us;
We lag behind three steps.

Hear that kafuffle in The States
As keel encounters ground?
There, you’ve been stuck for centuries –
Heads up! Take look around –

We’re in this global village, chum,
Don’t fret because it’s tough;
Us guys think this will last for aye,
But future will be tough.

A while since we watched babies die,
Or uncles on the street;
We’re headed there – “Call-centers hire
Canajians” – wait and see.

Lord, here I pray for this young soul
And in this aching heart
I am reminded of the word
From Wesley at the start –

“You pray like that you’d better duck,
Or you’ll be on some boat;
Or ‘hugging Gertrude’ up the block,
Assisting other folk.

“For at disposal you will be
Of God – to use henceforth;
A heart that breaks for life around,
In Kingdom has great worth.

“For Christ said ‘Blessed are those who mourn
For others, kin or not;
Their comfort comes henceforth, I say,
When you’ve their comfort bought.”

“This Kingdom-life of which I speak,
Has facets of delight;
Between that point and where you’re at
There lies a dismal sight.

“So gird on up loose-fitting loins,
Like clown in circus act,
And steady be for Christ your King,
Engage – for it’s a fact –

“To save your life, just lose it, man;
Don’t fret about the past,
Or present-future hope – that’s vain –
This present mess won’t last.”

Thanks Lord for this.

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