“The Upper Floor Perspective” [Reflections On Ronald B. Tobias’ Book 20 Master Plots Series – Prologue – #6/7] (John 3:1-21)

A mentee needs to trust the guide –
The mentor who walks side-by-side –
But if there is low confidence,
Then ask – “What’s there in my defense –

“For pushing on with reading this?
How should I link it to the kiss
God wants to give to folks through word
And photos – how is it best heard?”

From up above, on Kingdom-layer,
I see quite clearly what is there
As people strive and strut all day,
Encounter boulders in their way –

They “quest”, “adventure”, “hold pursuit”
As reasons for selecting route;
Then “rescue” or “escape” to leave
Some place to find their greater ease.

There’s “riddles” and there’s “rivalry”;
“Temptation” twists what they could be;
There’s change like “butterfly”, or “change”,
Or “growing up” to re-arrange –

Priorities in life – of course
“Goliath’s foes” use scant resource;
There’s “love, permitted”; “love that’s blocked”;
“Self-sacrifice” that’s more than talk.

“Discovery” can dominate;
Or “wretched excess” on a plate,
Served up for those who thrive on gore,
Who seem insatiable for more.

There’s “those who rise” from start to end,
And “those who fall”, who just descend –
From top of totem pole they crash,
And end in pile of dust and ash.

So, Lord, his twenty ways of life
We daily see – midst whirling strife –
Are all well-known in earthly terms
But from the Kingdom-layer we learn –

To live and walk above the fray –
For wind will blow through anyway;
The pinwheel spins – best option? “Grace”
There on the surface of that place.

But it’s not best alternative –
That’s on Your Kingdom-layer, You give
A chance to unimpeded walk –
To act, react, make photos, talk –

Or write some tome or poetry;
Write music in which people see
There’s more to life than twirling ’round –
Engaging life on earth as found.

For “Kingdom-layer”, the “Pinwheel’s pin”,
Is option given to space we’re in;
The church knows little of this place;
“You lead? Now that surprising case” –

Just like You said to Nick that night;
Not much has changed – Paul got it right;
But folks like “Power” and “Cash” to sway
Environment their own sweet way.

Well, Lord, that gives a lot of room
To view from sixth-story warehouse – soon
It shifts back to fifth floor again;
’Till then, perspective will remain.

Thanks Lord for this.

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