“Alternate Jobs” (Genesis 32:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28) [War – Sub Series Number One – Reflections on Timothy Snyder’s Book, On Tyranny – Poem #22 – Chapter 7]
I like the policy held by those priests,
“Have own career, in case this source depletes
Into a trickle, or it all dries up –
A vow of poverty can be quite tough.“Because you take that on does not compel
The church or others to support you well;
So have a second source, and keep it fresh,
Or things could get quite tight – folks die for less.”The same thing holds for soldiers and police –
You can’t say “No” if job you can’t release;
So have a fall-back way to earn some cash,
Or else you might be lured to do what’s asked –When doing so is wrong, no if’s or buts –
Of course that holds for any job (though luck
Might see you through), pay heed – lest you comply,
Then sell your soul for pottage, lest you die.Lord, we’ve been there as you forewarned the church;
To some degree we all were in the lurch;
That scene’s not pretty, though with popcorn stoned,
Still, mortgage payments pressed the things we owed.In peacetime-West we do it with “The job” –
We kill by pulling pin on Sue or Bob;
Then let them fall behind; black-list their names –
Don’t let them “Join in all our reindeer games”.For excommunication has a potent edge,
As we’re put out to die upon some ledge;
But Lord, Your good news of a Kingdom-life
For all, keeps us above such noise and strife.It’s not that we are fed from hand to mouth;
But rather, when careers are headed south,
We’re freed up to relax, see thicket, ram,
Then step out, take the high road, now we can.Thanks Lord for this.
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